The Associated Press

CARACAS, Venezuela—President Hugo Chavez says the U.S. ambassador has 72 hours to leave Venezuela and he’s recalling his ambassador from Washington.

Chavez said he’s asking U.S. Ambassador Patrick Duddy to leave as a means of showing solidarity with Bolivian President Evo Morales, who expelled Washington’s envoy in La Paz.

“They’re trying to here what they were doing in Bolivia,” Chavez said. “That’s enough ... from you, Yankees,” he said, using an expletive.

Chavez announced the decision during a televised speech, hours after saying his government had detained a group of alleged conspirators in a plot to overthrow him.

Chavez accused the group of current and former military officers of trying to assassinate him and topple the government with support from the United States. He didn’t offer evidence.

U.S. officials have repeatedly denied Chavez’s accusations that Washington has backed plots against him.