Posted on 12/19/2011 10:18:11 AM PST by quantim
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- President Barack Obama criticized Venezuela's rights record and its ties to Iran and Cuba, telling a Venezuelan newspaper in comments published Monday that he is concerned about threats to democracy in the country.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has long feuded with Washington, though Obama's remarks, published by the newspaper El Universal, were some of his most critical to date.
"We're concerned about the government's actions which have restricted the universal rights of the Venezuelan people, threatened basic democratic values, and failed to contribute to the security in the region," Obama said in written responses to questions from the newspaper.
"In Venezuela, we have been deeply concerned to see action taken to restrict the freedom of the press, and to erode the separation of powers that is necessary for democracy to thrive," Obama said. "In all countries of the region, we want to see elections that are free and fair."
(Excerpt) Read more at hosted.ap.org ...
Sounds like I should pick Chavez on Howie Carr’s upcoming Death Pool.
Korea......Venezuela....Cuba.....let’s go for the trifecta!!!! Come on mortality! Baby needs a new pair of shoes!
I’m concerned by our ties to Venezuela due to oil imports and our own internal threats to democracy.
Obama moving to the right in election year
There.....Fixed it.
He’s just jealous he can’t outwardly join the party.
Barky’s up from his nap.
Meanwhile, Obama immediate phoned Chavez afterwards and told him, “You know I still love you, right?”
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