President Chavez threatens to expel U.S. ambassador

The ambassador had visited a neighborhood that is a Chavez stronghold.
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said the U.S. ambassador was "provoking the Venezuelan people" and threatened Sunday to expel the American diplomat, whose convoy was chased by pro-government protesters on motorcycles.
Chavez condemned the crowd of protesters for pelting U.S. Ambassador William Brownfield's car with eggs and tomatoes, saying his government "rejects any kind of aggression."
But he suggested Brownfield, who was returning from a visit to a ballpark in Caracas' poor Coche neighborhood, a Chavez stronghold, sought a confrontation by failing to advise authorities adequately of his travel plans and venturing into a place where his presence was unwelcome.
"I'm going to throw you out of Venezuela if you continue provoking the Venezuelan people," Chavez said in a nationally televised speech addressed to Brownfield.
U.S. warning
Chavez's incendiary comments came after Washington warned of "severe diplomatic consequence" if there is a similar incident.
"If the Washington government takes some measure against Venezuela motivated by provocations, you will be responsible, you will have to leave here, sir. I will declare you persona non grata in Venezuela," Chavez responded Sunday in the address to Brownfield.
Chavez accused Washington of seeking to escalate tensions and threatening Venezuela.
"With your imprudence and provocation, you could one of these days cause a grave incident because [you walk] around with people who are armed, with security forces," Chavez said.
U.S. Embassy spokeswoman Salome Hernandez said the embassy refused to respond to "hypothetical" scenarios but added, "the ambassador will continue to travel and we will not be intimidated."
Relations between the United States and Venezuela, the world's fifth largest oil producer, have deteriorated sharply in recent months.
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