WASHINGTON (AFX) - The US condemned the twin bomb blasts near the diplomatic missions of Colombia and Spain in the Venezuelan capital Caracas, and chastised President Hugo Chavez over his sharp rhetoric.

"We strongly condemn today's bombings and the use of any form of violence," State Department deputy spokesman Philip Reeker said.

"We note that these bombings followed the sharp verbal attacks by President Chavez on the international community, as well as Venezuelans."

Reeker called on Venezuela to launch an expeditious and thorough probe into the violence and to punish those responsible.

Washington did not blame Chavez directly for inciting the attacks, after he had earlier criticised both nations as well as the US for their stand on the Venezuelan political crisis.

But a senior US official said on condition of anonymity, Chavez "says these things and that is followed by this," referring to the blasts.

Authorities in Venezuela said three people were hurt at the Colombian consulate and one at Spanish Embassy. The blasts also damaged buildings and cars nearby.

The bomb blasts followed Sunday's strong words by Chavez against Spain and the United States after they criticized the arrest of business leader Carlos Fernandez who headed a 63-day anti-government strike.

Chavez also slammed Colombia, reacting a statement by Colombian Interior Minister Fernando Londono, who criticized the Venezuelan leader's contacts with Colombian rebels.

Asked whether there is concern that US diplomatic missions in Caracas could be the next to be attacked, the senior official said: "Certainly, we worry about security all the time at all of our posts, but the tone and the atmosphere have taken a turn for the worst in the last few days."

Washington is calling on Chavez to live up to the terms of a non violence pledge reached by the government and the opposition last week, which included a provision emphasising the need to curb inflamatory statements.

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