Chavez Boots US Envoy: 'Go to Hell, Yankees!'

Threatens to cut oil shipments
By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 12, 2008 4:11 AM CDT
Chavez Boots US Envoy: 'Go to Hell, Yankees!'
Hugo Chavez speaks with the US ambassador to Venezuela, Patrick Duddy, in Caracas.    (AP Photo/Miraflores Press Office)

In a dramatic move in support of Bolivia, Venezuela President Hugo Chavez yesterday slashed diplomatic ties with the US, booting the American ambassador and calling home his envoy from Washington, reports Reuters. The socialist leader has also threatened to stop all oil shipments to the US—Venezuela’s largest customer—and plans to freeze relations with Washington until “there is a new government in the US that respects the people of Latin America.”

Chavez announced the ouste at a political rally, shouting, “Go to hell, s--- yankees! We are a dignified people. Go to hell 100 times." Bolivia, a close Venezuela ally, expelled its US ambassador the previous day on claims that the envoy was inciting political violence in the Andean country. Eight people have been killed there in violent anti-government protests. (More Venezuela stories.)

Get breaking news in your inbox.
What you need to know, as soon as we know it.
Sign up
Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X