Venezuela Expels 2 US Diplomats; Vice President Claims Hugo Chávez was Poisoned

 

After reiterating that President Hugo Chávez's health is looking grave, Venezuela’s vice president lashed out at the country’s “enemies” and expelled two U.S. diplomats whom he accused of spying on the country’s military.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Vice President Nicolás Maduro also pointed to the U.S. and other foreign countries of somehow poisoning Chávez with cancer.

Following a lengthy introduction of numerous officials in attendance, Maduro said U.S. military attaché David Delmonaco will be expelled from the country for conspiring against the government and the armed forces. Greg Adams, spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Caracas, confirmed the attaché is Delmonaco, but had no immediate comment.

"I'm sure we will be formulating some sort of response from Washington,” he said.

“He has been thrown out. He’s got 24 hours to leave Venezuela. Our national Armed Forces must be respected. We’ve already legally notified the American government,” Maduro said, as quoted in the leading Venezuelan newspaper, El Universal….

“This clown show demonstrates that these guys are amateurs and play their hands too easily,” said Chris Sabatini, an analyst for America's Society/Council of the Americas, a think tank in New York City.

It's poorly executed plan for a post-Chávez Venezuela, Sabatini said.

“This is a desperate government peddling in absurdities,” he said.“They needed some sort of cover and now they don’t know what to do….”

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