Caracas - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez expelled the US ambassador, acting out of solidarity with his embattled Bolivian counterpart, Evo Morales.

US Ambassador Patrick Duddy had to leave the country within the next 72 hours, Chavez said Thursday night in a televised speech. At the same time, the leftist populist president recalled Venezuela's ambassador to the United States, Bernardo Alvarez.

Duddy arrived in Caracas last year.

Chavez, in a show of solidarity with Morales, also threatened to cut oil exports to the United States, asking the "Yankees to go to hell." He accused Washington of trying to oust him.

He warned that Caracas would take action if Morales was being toppled. The Bolivian president faces an escalating confrontation with five opposition-controlled regions in the country that are seeking greater autonomy.

Without "wanting to interfere in internal Bolivian affairs," Chavez said he was ready to support military action in Bolivia in case Morales was killed or overthrown.

In his expletives-laced speech, Chavez also said he had thwarted yet another coup attempt. Several plotters, among them former and current military officers, were arrested, having planned to assassinate him with backing from the United States, he charged. (dpa)