Caracas - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez removed the Venezuelan consul in the US city of Houston, after the diplomat moved the consulate offices without authorization.

Chavez admitted late Monday that what happened was a "mistake," although he denied that Venezuelan diplomatic officials had been expelled by the United States.

"The consul (Antonio Padrino) changed the consulate seat without the authorization of the authorities of that country, or of our embassy in Washington, and that is the reason why he was removed from the position," Chavez told Venezuelan television.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro said the situation has been cleared up with US authorities and solved "administratively and diplomatically."

The US State Department said Monday that it had cancelled the visas of Venezuelan diplomats in the Houston Consulate.

The Venezuelan government had requested from US authorities permission to move its consulate in Houston to new offices, but consulate officials proceeded with the move before getting the necessary permit.

The State Department warned Venezuelan diplomats to stop the move, and they did not. On October 31, US authorities said they would withdraw privileges and diplomatic visas, forcing the affected officials to leave the country.

Tension has been rife between Venezuela and the United States under Chavez, who expelled US Ambassador Patrick Duddy in September, in solidarity with a similar move adopted by Bolivia. (dpa)