Venezuela dismisses US Ambassador

Venezuela\'s President Hugo Chavez has ordered the United States Ambassador Patrick Duddy to leave the country within 72 hours.



The expulsion comes a day after Evo Morales one of Chavez’ allies ejected Bolivia\'s top envoy from Washington.



At the same time, President Chavez has immediately recalled his country\'s ambassador from Washington.



Mr. Chavez said he took the decision in solidarity with Morales, who sent home the US Ambassador in La Paz on Wednesday.



The US ambassador was sent home after claims that that he was instigating violent protests and conspiring against democracy in the country.



Continuing demonstrations, led by rebel state governors in Bolivia, have led to the deaths of at least eight people.



The leftist leaders Chavez and Morales are both fierce critics of the US.