Caracas, Venezuela – Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said he was withdrawing his ambassador from Peru as a matter of principle after Peru called home its ambassador.
Chavez told Venezuelan state television on Thursday from Bolivia that he believed the departure of ambassadors would not affect the countries’ relations in the long term.
“The Peruvian government withdrew its ambassador. We are withdrawing ours,” said Chavez, who started trading insults last week with Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo and presidential candidate Alan Garcia.
“What I did was respond,” Chavez said. “I have to remain quiet faced with aggression by anybody against Venezuela? No, we are obliged to respond for the dignity of Venezuela.” Chavez announced he was withdrawing his ambassador on Wednesday night.
Garcia described Chavez and Bolivian President Evo Morales as “spoiled children” and “historic losers” after they criticized Peru for signing a free-trade deal with Washington. Chavez called Garcia, an ex-president, a “thief,” saying he and Toledo are “crocodiles from the same water hole” – a remark that prompted Peru to remove its ambassador from Caracas.
Chavez has made clear he has deep differences with Toledo, particularly over his decision to reach a free-trade deal with Washington.
But as for relations with Peru in the long-term, Chavez said: “No one can separate us … To the contrary, we will continue growing closer.”
