VENEZUELA/USA/FILE: President Hugo Chavez has harsh words for the U.S.'s nominated envoy to Caracas in latest diplomatic spat between the two countries

Record ID: 862827

  • Title: VENEZUELA/USA/FILE: President Hugo Chavez has harsh words for the U.S.'s nominated envoy to Caracas in latest diplomatic spat between the two countries
  • Date: 31st December 2010
  • Summary: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (DECEMBER 30, 2010) (REUTERS) VENEZUELAN FLAG AT EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON VENEZUELA EMBASSY SIGN GENERAL VIEW OF VENEZUELAN EMBASSY "UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE PASSPORT SERVICES" SIGN INSIDE U.S. GOVERNMENT VEHICLE OUTSIDE EMBASSY PLAQUE OUTSIDE EMBASSY
  • Embargoed: 15th January 2011 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of, Usa
  • City:
  • Country: Usa Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
  • Topics:
  • Reuters ID: LVAB3YF0QS4KZN7CNPFBS5Z5CW7
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Venezuela condemned on Thursday (December 30) the United States' revocation of its ambassador's visa as an "imperial" move by President Barack Obama's government, saying the measure should be immediately overturned.
    In the latest flare-up between the ideological foes, Washington withdrew the visa of Ambassador Bernardo Alvarez on Wednesday (December 29) in retaliation for the rejection by socialist President Hugo Chavez of Obama's nominated U.S. envoy to Caracas.
    Chavez had blocked Larry Palmer's arrival after the diplomat accused Venezuela's government of close ties to leftist Colombian rebels. He also alleged declining morale and growing Cuban influence in Venezuela's armed forces.
    On Tuesday (December 28), Chavez lashed out at the U.S.
    "We have refused, we have refused to give our blessing to this appointee to the ambassadorship. Now the government of the United States threatens us with reprisals. Well, they will do what they want. But this gentleman will not come here as ambassador. For someone to come here as an ambassador, they have to have respect. This is a country that is respected. The time of this country being spit on and abandoned is over," said Chavez during an event aired on state television.
    "Ah, well, so the government is going to expel our ambassador there - do it. So what if the United States breaks our diplomatic relations? Do it. It's not my fault - it's their fault that they named an ambassador and the first thing he does is go to the media to rant against the country that he is going to be the ambassador of. Well this violates international law and international conventions and the most basic international laws," he added.
    The tit-for-tat appeared to bury any lingering prospects of rapprochement between the Obama administration and Chavez, who has inherited Fidel Castro's mantle as Latin America's leading critic of the United States.
    Despite the diplomatic spat, few expect either Venezuela or the United States to risk jeopardizing trade ties -- principally oil -- crucial to both nations' economies.
    The South American OPEC member is the fifth biggest crude supplier to the United States, exporting about 1.2 million barrels per day of oil and products.
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