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    WASHINGTON, April 10 (Xinhua) -- The United States threatened on Monday to take action against Venezuelan ambassador to Washington following constant disputes between the two countries.

    "I think that there are going to be serious diplomatic consequences between our two countries. And I think that the Venezuelan ambassador might find his ability to move around the United States severely restricted," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said.

    Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez warned on Sunday that he would expel the U.S. ambassador if he continued "provoking" problems.

    "I'm going to throw you out of Venezuela if you continue provoking the Venezuelan people," Chavez warned U.S. Ambassador William Brownfield during a nationally televised speech.

    It was reported that last Friday, supporters of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez lobbed eggs, fruit and vegetables at the U.S. ambassador's car in a poor neighborhood in Caracas.

    It was the third time in the past month that U.S. Ambassador William Brownfield has faced open antagonism at public events, U.S. mass media said.

    "This is just a thuggish attempt to intimidate our ambassador," said McCormack of Friday's incident.

    U.S.-Venezuela relations have deteriorated in the last 18 months, with Chavez saying that the United States is planning an invasion of his country, while the Washington says Chavez is destabilizing the region.

    In February, Washington ordered a Venezuelan diplomat expelled in retaliation for Caracas's move to kick out a U.S. naval attache on espionage charges. Enditem

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez condemns last week's attack on United States ambassador William Brownfield, but warns he will be expelled if he continues to provoke people. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

Chavez threatens to expel US ambassador

    CARACAS, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez has condemned last week's attack on United States ambassador William Brownfield, but warns he will be expelled if he continues to provoke people.

    Chavez said on his Sunday television and radio show Alo Presidente that the U.S. ambassador should stop provoking and intervening in Venezuela or pack his bags, adding that he risked being declared a persona non grata.

    Pro-government supporters lobbed eggs, fruit and vegetables at Brownfield on Friday during his visit to a western Caracas sports center to deliver donated baseball equipment. Chavez said Brownfield provoked the incident because he did not consult the government in advance about the trip to the shantytown. Full story>>