In the wake of the increasing diplomatic tensions between Washington and Caracas, the US authorities have revoked the Venezuela ambassador’s visa.
In the wake of the increasing diplomatic tensions between Washington and Caracas, the US authorities have revoked the Venezuela ambassador's visa. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez had opposed to the US President's Barack Obama's choice of Larry Palmer as ambassador to Caracas, who was highly critical of Chavez during his US Senate confirmation hearings months ago. On Tuesday, Chavez challenged the US to cut diplomatic relations over his refusal. "If the US government wants to expel our ambassador there, let them! If they cut off diplomatic relations, let them," Chavez said on state television. In apparent retaliation, US “has revoked the visa of Ambassador Bernardo Alvarez,” Venezuela's Deputy Foreign Minister Temir Porras said on Wednesday. The US State Department spokesman, Mark Toner, refused to say whether Washington was prepared to expel Alvarez, who is currently visiting La Paz. But Toner said that Washington has warned of “consequences” over President Chavez's recent rejection of Washington's nominee for ambassador to Caracas, AFP reported. On Wednesday, hours prior to Porras's announcement, Washington had said that keeping diplomatic relations with Venezuela was of "national interest," Toner said.US Revokes Venezuelan Envoy’s Visa
