The Venezuela government said on Tuesday that the United States would be violating the Vienna Convention if it restricted the movement of its ambassador in Washington and warned of possible diplomatic consequences.

U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormick said on Monday that Washington would restrict the movement of Venezuelan ambassador Bernardo Alvarez Alvarez, if attacks on the U.S. ambassador to Caracas, William Brownfield, continued unchecked.

On Friday, supporters of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez threw eggs and tomatoes at Brownfield's car, after the ambassador donated equipment to a childrens' baseball team in western Caracas, which Chavez saw as part of a U.S. plot to exert influence.

Later in the day the U.S. State Department summoned Alvarez to address the clash and notify him of possible restrictions on his movement.

Venezuela's deputy foreign minister for North America, Mari Pili Herandez, said in a media interview that the Vienna Convention guaranteed the freedom of movement of foreign ambassadors.

She also noted that the possible U.S. measure could have diplomatic implications and consequences, though she did not offer any details.

Herandez said the Venezuelan government had assigned two bodyguards to protect Brownfield after Chavez ordered on Feb. 2 the expulsion of U.S. naval attache John Correa on charges of spying.

She said both guards were placed outside the embassy, and "our political police officers can only attach themselves to the ambassador's convoy when he leaves, without the knowledge of his agenda."

Chavez, a constant U.S. criticizer, on Sunday threatened to expel Brownfield, accusing him of interfering in the country's internal affairs and trying to provoke confrontations with pro-government protesters.

Source: Xinhua