Chavez accuses US ambassador of spying

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has warned the US ambassador against spying and said his agents had infiltrated the US embassy…

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has warned the US ambassador against spying and said his agents had infiltrated the US embassy.

Venezuela last week accused US embassy officials of contacting military officers to get access to state secrets for the Pentagon in the latest dispute between Washington and Mr Chavez, a fierce US critic who wants to bring socialist revolution to the world's fifth-largest oil exporter.

"I recommend to the US embassy that they stop spying, we have you infiltrated, ambassador. Don't move around too much because we are watching you," Mr Chavez said at a business event.

"The US military officials in the embassy are spying and we've got them infiltrated. We even know where they eat their arepas reina pepeadathat those gringos love," Mr Chavez said referring to a traditional Venezuelan fried cornmeal cake.

READ MORE

US embassy representatives say they have not been contacted on the issue and have no details on any charges.

Washington has repeatedly denied Mr Chavez's accusations that it is working with his opponents to orchestrate his downfall. But they say the former soldier, whose closest ally is Cuban President Fidel Castro, has become an authoritarian menace to Venezuelan democracy and a threat to regional stability.

Military authorities have so far not confirmed any arrests in the alleged passing of secrets, or said how many military officers are involved in the case.

Mr Chavez on Friday threatened to arrest US embassy staff caught spying.