Venezuela Expels Second U.S. Embassy Official

Venezuela said Tuesday it was expelling a second U.S. embassy official for unauthorized contacts with Venezuelan military officials and conspiracy amid the illness of ailing President Hugo Chavez.

Foreign Minister Elias Jaua said the two Air Force officials were considered "persona non grata" and being kicked out of Venezuela.

The Pentagon confirmed the news, saying that the official was en route back to the United States.

"We are aware of the allegations made by Venezuelan Vice President (Nicolas) Maduro over state-run television in Caracas, and can confirm that our Air Attache, Col. David Delmonico, is en route back to the United States," spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Todd Breasseale said in a statement.