Oil exports to the US
could stop amid growing tensions between the two countries, Venezuelan
President Hugo Chavez has said.
He described recent US government actions as "aggressive" in a speech
at a youth festival in Caracas.
As a result, Venezuelan oil "instead of going to the United States,
could go elsewhere," he said.
Venezuela exports about 1.3 million barrels a day to the US and is the
world's fifth largest oil producer.
Tensions between the two countries have escalated since President
Chavez accused the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) of spying on
his government.
Washington denies the charge and has accused Caracas of failing to
co-operate in the fight against drug-trafficking.
On Friday the Venezuelan government withdrew diplomatic immunity from
DEA agents working in the country in response to a US decision to revoke
the visas of six Venezuelan officials based in Washington.
Venezuela is an important transport route for cocaine from neighbouring
Colombia, which produces 80% of the world's supply.
