Chavez dares US to cut diplomatic ties

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez rejected the nominated US ambassador because of his harsh criticism of Venezuela

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/157668.html


Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has dared the United States to cut off diplomatic ties over his opposition to Washington's choice of ambassador.

In a national television broadcast on Tuesday, Chavez said he has no problem with the US wanting to cut off diplomatic relations and expelling Caracas' ambassador to Washington.

Tensions have flared up between the United States and Venezuela since August after US President Barack Obama nominated Larry Palmer as the US new ambassador to Caracas.

But Chavez has insisted that Palmer is not welcome after the diplomat leveled harsh criticism against Venezuela during his US Senate confirmation hearings months ago.

At the time, he had claimed that morale is low in Venezuela's military and also linked Chavez's government to leftist rebels in neighboring Colombian.

His comments fueled a row between Bogota and Caracas.

"We have denied recognition to this gentleman 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.

The Venezuelan president further added that allowing Palmer to enter Venezuela would be an "indignity," because he has no respect for the country he is being sent to.

The US embassy in Caracas has been without an ambassador since Palmer's predecessor finished his term in July.

The US Senate is yet to confirm Palmer's nomination.

Washington has warned that the fragile ties between the two countries could suffer over the dispute.