Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has said he will remove his ambassador to Peru in response to Peru's decision to recall its ambassador to Venezuela after accusing Mr Chavez of interfering in its presidential election.
"I have ordered the recall of our ambassador with much pain," Chavez said late Wednesday, according to reports.
"I don't believe it should have come to this, because a candidate there (in Peru) launched an aggression at me and I responded I have the right," he added, referring to Peruvian presidential candidate Alan Garcia.
Mr Garcia called Mr Chavez and Bolivian President Evo Morales "spoiled children" and "historic losers" after they criticised Peru for signing a free trade deal with Washington.
Last week, Mr Chavez described Mr Garcia and current Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo as "crocodiles from the same water hole" - the remark that prompted Peru to remove its ambassador from Caracas.
Mr Chavez has endorsed nationalist Peruvian presidential candidate Ollanta Humala in the June 4th runoff election against Garcia.
AP