MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chavez ousts US ambassador and recalls his

Mounting problems have Chavez more defiant than ever

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced on Thursday that the Unite States ambassador has 72 hours to leave Venezuela and he's recalling his ambassador from Washington.

Chavez said he's asking US Ambassador Patrick Duddy to leave as a means of showing solidarity with Bolivian President Evo Morales, who recently announced that he was expelling Washington's envoy to his country. Chavez announced the decision during a televised speech hours after saying his government had detained a group of alleged conspirators in a plot to overthrow him. Chavez accused the group of current and former military officers of trying to assassinate him and topple the government with support from the United States. He didn't offer evidence. US officials have repeatedly denied Chavez's accusations that Washington has backed plots against him. "Go to hell, s--- yankees, we are a dignified people, go to hell 100 times" Chavez shouted at a political rally to thousands of roaring supporters. "We will send an ambassador when there is a new government in the United States, a government that respects the people of Latin America" he said. The coup allegations are believed to be linked to the campaign for Venezuela's tough local elections in November and a possible distraction from the Miami court hearings which directly involve President Chavez, government owned oil corporation PDVSA and his intelligence services. In August 2007, a US-Venezuelan citizen was caught trying to introduce 800.000 US dollars cash into Argentina apparently to help finance the presidential campaign of Mrs. Kirchner who was elected last October. The money was seized by Argentine Customs and Guido Antonini later flew to Florida, via Uruguay, where he was located and threatened by Chavez emissaries, working as unregistered agents, not to disclose the origin or purpose of the funds. Antonini turned into federal protection and the four "agents" are now facing charges in the Miami court.