Image source, YURI CORTEZ Image caption,

Venezuela's Red Cross president Mario Enrique Villarroel has been sacked after more than four decades

By Charlene Anne Rodrigues

BBC News

The Supreme Court has dismissed the president of Venezuela's Red Cross after more than four decades.

Mario Enrique Villarroel has been allegedly accused of "harassment and ill-treatment", which the state prosecutors are investigating.

Members of the charity's board of directors have also been sacked.

In a statement, Venezuela's Red Cross expressed its "absolute and unrestricted support" for Mr Villarroel.

In the interim, the court has ordered a "broad and diverse restructure" of the charity.

Ricardo Cusanno, the former president of Venezuela's largest business association, Fedecamaras, has been appointed to chair the board as part of the organisation's restructure.

The court said the activities of the Venezuelan Red Cross would remain unharmed.

The ruling also said it would work with the attorney general's office to prosecute the outgoing board.