Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has pointed the finger of blame at the US for backing the military coup in Honduras.

"The United States is supporting it," Chavez said on Thursday referring to the military coup which ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya, AP reported.

Chavez went on to describe the coup in Honduras as a challenge for US President Barack Obama who has yet to recognize the Central American country's interim government.

"I'm not saying it's Obama [the coup in Honduras]. It's a challenge to Obama," the Venezuelan President reiterated.

Chavez criticized Washington for failing to remove its top envoy from Honduras, saying, "Why don't you give an ultimatum to the coup plotters, like we did? Up until now, there are contradictions."

Most Latin American countries as well as European Union member-states have withdrawn their top diplomats from Honduras in protest to the military coup.

RB/HGH