Hugo Chavez

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says a U.S. Navy attache accused of spying has been ordered out of the country.

Mr. Chavez said Thursday that naval Captain John Correa must leave Venezuela immediately. Correa has been named in connection with accusations that several Venezuelan military officers had passed information to the U.S. military through the U.S. embassy in Caracas.

Mr. Chavez on Monday accused U.S. officers at the embassy of spying. Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel said last week that several low-level Venezuelan officers had been caught passing information to the U.S. military.

U.S. State Department spokesman, Adam Ereli would not comment specifically on the charges of espionage. But in remarks earlier this week, the official said the United States has had good relations with the Venezuelan military in the past and hopes that can continue.