Venezuelan President Dares US Government to Cut Diplomatic Ties over Ambassador Rejection

Local Editor

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez dared the US government to cut its diplomatic ties with Venezuela, after the latter rejected the new US Ambassador to Caracas.

On his part, President Chavez affirmed that he will not allow the US diplomat, Larry Palmer to be the new ambassador to Venezuela, Associated Press reported.

"If the government is going to expel our ambassador there, let them do it!" the Venezuelan President said, adding, "If they're going to cut diplomatic relations, let them do it!"

In a televised speech, President Hugo Chavez said, "Now the US government is threatening us that they're going to take reprisals. Well, let them do whatever they want, but that man will not come".

No reaction was been reported from the US Embassy in Caracas, although it has been without an Ambassador since Patrick Duddy left his position in July.