Hugo Chavez did not use the regular diplomatic niceties when he ordered U.S. Ambassador Patrick Duddy to leave Venezuela. Chavez accused Duddy and the Bush administration of arranging a plot to overthrow him.
At a rally in Carabobo, Chavez yelled, “Shithead Yankees, go to hell.”
Chavez ordered Venezuela’s ambassador to the U.S. recalled. Chavez said that until a government more friendly to Venezuela comes to power, his ambassador would not return.
Chavez has detained at least four retired Generals in the coup investigation, but many question if the coup accusations are true. An international corruption trial is beginning this month in Miami involving $800,000 in cash, allegedly from Chavez to the campaign of President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner of Argentina. Chavez may be trying to deflect attention away from that.
Venezuela is also holding state and local elections in November. Chavez’s support has fallen and this may be an attempt to prop himself up before voters.
Chavez has long declared that he would cut off oil shipments to the U.S. if the Americans moved against him. He has not attempted to do so. More than anything, this suggests that Chavez is using the opportunity to harass political opponents and drum-up support from his favorite whipping boy, the U.S.
A more appropriate rally cry for Chavez would be “Shithead Yankees, go to hell. Leave your dollars behind.”
