Free Republic

Well, well, well. Do we detect a hint of sulfur in Barack Obama’s reaction to Hugo Chavez today? President Obama has kicked the Venezuelan ambassador out of the US in retaliation for the rejection of Obama’s choice of ambassador to Venezuela: Washington has revoked the visa of the Venezuelan ambassador to the US, the US state department has said.The move comes amid a diplomatic dispute between the two countries over President Barack Obama’s choice of ambassador to Caracas, Larry Palmer. …The US move in effect expels Venezuelan envoy Bernardo Alvarez Herrera. Alvarez Herrera isn’t in the US at the moment,...

Hugo Chavez went on national television to dare Barack Obama to cut diplomatic relations with Venezuela after Chavez rejected Obama’s choice to replace Ambassador Patrick Duddy, who left in July. Chavez objected to comments made by nominee Larry Palmer that suggested that Chavez was sheltering Colombian rebels and Palmer’s criticism of the actions of the legislature, which gave Chavez 18 months of rule by decree in order to ignore the new National Assembly taking office next month, one with enough opposition to block Chavez’ proposals: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez dared the United States to expel his ambassador or cut off...

President Hugo Chavez on Tuesday dared the U.S. government to expel his ambassador from Washington in response to Venezuela's rejection of the White House's choice for ambassador in Caracas. Chavez reiterated that he will not allow the U.S. diplomat Larry Palmer to be ambassador, and said "if the government is going to expel our ambassador there, let them do it!" He added: "if they're going to cut diplomatic relations, let them do it!" The U.S. State Department has said it stands behind its nomination of Palmer, who is awaiting Senate confirmation. Palmer angered Chavez by suggesting during the confirmation process...