President Hugo Chavez has threatened to expel foreigners who speak badly of Venezuela, a Caracas newspaper reported.
‘‘Foreigners who come here and insult Venezuela will be expelled,’’ El Universal quoted Chavez as saying during a forum organised by state oil company Petroleos de Venezuela SA.
Chavez, a fiery former paratrooper, often cites an international media ‘‘conspiracy’’ to portray him as an autocratic leader and downplay his Government’s achievements.