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Chavez Jumps Into Envoy Row

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The Associated Press

Published: September 12, 2008

WASHINGTON - In an escalating tit-for-tat, the Bush administration on Thursday ordered the expulsion of Bolivia's ambassador to the United States after Bolivia expelled the U.S. envoy there. Hours later, Venezuela's president, in what he called a solidarity move, ordered the U.S. ambassador in Caracas to leave the country.

"In response to unwarranted actions and in accordance with the Vienna Convention on diplomatic protocol," the U.S. State Department's Sean McCormack said, "we have officially informed the government of Bolivia of our decision to declare Ambassador Gustavo Guzman persona non grata."

It was unclear exactly how long Guzman would be given to leave the United States, but diplomats declared "persona non grata" generally have 72 hours to depart. Guzman was summoned to the State Department Thursday and told of the decision a day after Bolivia expelled U.S. Ambassador Philip Goldberg, officials said.

Late Thursday in Caracas, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez gave U.S. Ambassador Patrick Duddy 72 hours to leave the country and said he was recalling his ambassador from Washington. Chavez said the move was, in part, to show solidarity with Bolivian President Evo Morales, who expelled Washington's envoy in La Paz. Morales had ordered Goldberg out, accusing him of conspiring with Bolivia's conservative opposition.

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