Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez dared the United States to "cut off diplomatic relations" over his opposition to U.S. President Barack Obama's choice of a new ambassador.
"If the (U.S.) government wants to expel our ambassador there, let them! If they cut off diplomatic relations, let them," Chavez said Tuesday on state television.
Last week Venezuela's foreign minister expressed hope that the two sides could resolve the row over diplomat Larry Palmer, who has been nominated by Obama but not yet confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
But Chavez has insisted Palmer is not welcome after the veteran diplomat sharply criticized Venezuela's populist-socialist government during his U.S. Senate confirmation hearings months ago. "We have denied recognition to this gentleman (Palmer) and now the United States government is threatening to retaliate. Well, they can do whatever they want, but this man is not coming," Chavez said.
"To come here, an ambassador must respect the country," Chavez added. "It would be an indignity if I allowed this man to come to Venezuela." Washington has warned that ties could suffer over the dispute.
Relations between the United States and Venezuela have been strained in recent years as Chavez has repeatedly denounced "American imperialism" and cultivated ties with U.S. bugbears, including Cuba, Syria and Iran.
U.S. lawmakers spoken out last week against a raft of new measures approved by the pro-Chavez legislature granting the president temporary dictatorial powers, restricting press freedoms, and punishing legislators who switch parties.
The laws were pushed through by the ruling Socialist Party just weeks before a new assembly, in which pro-Chavez legislators lose their supermajority, takes office on Jan. 5.
No comments:
Post a Comment