QUITO, Feb 7: Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa on Saturday ordered the expulsion of a US embassy official, accusing him of treating the country like a US colony.

Speaking on his weekly radio and television programme, Mr Correa said the US official sought to link economic aid to allowing Washington choose the head of Ecuador’s anti-contraband police.

“I am giving this gentleman 48 hours ... to grab his suitcase and get out of the country!” Mr Correa said.

“We are not going to accept anyone treating us like a colony.”

Mr Correa, a leftist critic of the United States who enjoys a 70 per cent popularity rating, is running for a second four-year term as president in April elections. —AFP