|
Caracas: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez ordered the US ambassador to leave within 72 hours, in a show of support for Bolivian President Evo Morales, who also expelled the top US diplomat from his country.
Chavez recalled his ambassador to the US and said he won't send another envoy to Washington until after the US presidential elections in November. Both Chavez and Morales have accused the US of backing opposition movements in their countries.
"The US is behind the plan against Bolivia, behind the terrorism,'' Chavez said at a political rally for candidates of his United Socialist Party of Venezuela. "We're committed to being free. Enough c*** from you Yankees.''
Chavez, a self-proclaimed socialist who refers to the US as an "empire,'' also threatened to halt Venezuelan oil shipments to the US if it starts an attack on his country. Venezuela is the fourth-biggest supplier of foreign crude oil to the US
Jennifer Rahimi, a spokeswoman at the US embassy in Caracas said ambassador Patrick Duddy hadn't yet received official notification of his expulsion, as of 8:30 pm New York time.
State Department spokesman Noel Clay said there hasn't been any official communication through diplomatic channels.
Morales expelled the US ambassador amid charges that he supported regional leaders backing more autonomy. The US responded today by ordering Bolivia's ambassador to Washington to leave.
|
