War of words between Mexico and Venezuela

A diplomatic fight between Mexico and Venezuela worsened yesterday.

Days after branding Mexican President Vicente Fox a "lapdog" of United States imperialism, his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chavez warned: "Don't mess with me, mister, because you'll get pricked."

Mexico's Foreign Ministry responded, saying it would withdraw its Ambassador to Venezuela unless it received a formal apology.

"The Venezuelan President's declarations hurt the dignity of the people and Government of Mexico," it said.