CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez on Thursday gave the U.S. ambassador 72 hours to leave the oil-rich South American country, saying the measure was a show of support for Bolivia.

Bolivian President Evo Morales expelled the U.S. ambassador from La Paz on Wednesday, accusing him of instigating violent protests in the Andean nation.

The Bush administration responded by expelling Bolivia’s top envoy from Washington.