Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez said yesterday he may not accept a newly nominated US ambassador to Caracas who sharply criticised the South American nation’s socialist government and its armed forces.
Larry Palmer told a US senator last week that morale was low in Venezuela’s military and that there were “clear ties” between members of Chavez’s government and leftist Colombian guerillas operating in Venezuela.
“What he said is very serious, we are evaluating it, I’ve almost blocked him from coming,” Chavez said, before a meeting with former Argentine President Nestor Kirchner.
Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday said it had demanded an explanation from Washington for what is described as “meddling and interventionism” in South America’s top oil exporter, a key supplier of crude to the United States.
A US State Department official said Palmer’s comments were in line with government opinion.
In written replies to questions from Senator Dick Lugar of Indiana, Palmer said he was “keenly aware of the clear ties” between members of the Chavez government and Colombian rebels.
His comments came at a sensitive moment after Colombia accused Venezuela of tolerating leftist Colombian rebels on its territory — a charge that Caracas denies.
Chavez broke off diplomatic ties with Colombia over the accusations and said he had bolstered military defences on the border, alleging the neighbouring country planned to attack.
In 2008, Chavez expelled US Ambassador Patrick Duddy from Caracas in a dispute over US involvement in violent protests in Bolivia. Duddy returned during a period of goodwill after US President Barack Obama took office, but relations have since hardened again.
“The Venezuelan government has been unwilling to prevent Colombian guerillas from entering and establishing camps in Venezuelan territory,” Palmer said.
The diplomat said it was “particularly concerning” that Gen Henry Rangel Silva had recently been promoted to operational chief of the armed forces.
Silva is one of two Chavez officials and an ex-minister that the United States in 2008 put on its “kingpin” list, accusing them of materially assisting the drug trafficking activities of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.
Asked about Venezuela’s armed forces, Palmer said their professionalism had decreased because of the retirement of many officers, and due to a move by Chavez letting non-commissioned officers transition directly to the commissioned corps.
“Most significantly, there has been a noted preference for political loyalty over professional talent,” Palmer wrote. “Morale is reported to be considerably low, particularly due to politically-oriented appointments.”
Palmer added that he was concerned that Cuba’s influence within the Venezuelan military would grow.
Chavez is a close ally of Cuba’s Fidel Castro, and thousands of Cubans work in Venezuela as doctors, nurses, teachers and technicians. Palmer said there were credible reports of growing co-operation between Caracas and Havana in military matters and intelligence services.
Chavez does not deny that Cubans advise the military.
Venezuela’s military top brass appeared on television yesterday to reject Palmer’s comments about the armed forces, emphasising high morale and saying promotions were merit-based.
Defence Minister Carlos Mata, dressed in a khaki green uniform, also defended Venezuela’s military ties with Cuba
“Only a twisted, perverse mind could confuse collaboration between two brother nations, as in the case of Cuba, with intervention,” Mata said
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