US revokes Venezuelan diplomat visa as row heats up

The United States has revoked the visa of Venezuela's envoy to the US, in the latest twist in a diplomatic spat between the two countries.

Reuters

Washington had already warned that there would be consequences, after Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez rejected US President Barak Obama's choice of ambassador to Caracas.

Chavez said Larry Palmer would not be welcome in Caracas because he had publically criticised Chavez and his regime.

On Tuesday, the Venezuelan president had dared Washington to "cut off diplomatic relations" over his opposition to Palmer.

"If the (US) government wants to expel our ambassador there, let them! If they cut off diplomatic relations, let them," Chavez said on state television.

The US and Venezuela are long-time political adversaries, and relations between the two countries have been strained by Chavez cultivating ties with US bugbears, including Cuba, Syria and Iran.