Maduro appoints new US charge d’affairs for relationship based on respect

[Catherina]

Maduro appoints National Assembly representative Calixto Ortega as new head of U.S. business

Posted on 4/24/13

"Calixto Ortega is a man who has great experience and knowledge of United States society, and we believe he can play an important role in telling the truth about Venezuela and opening understanding, so that sooner or later they will respect Latin America and the Caribbean, and respect the Bolivarian revolution," Maduro said in announcing the appointment.

The Venezuelan president also applauded the State Department's claims that the U.S. does not foresee imposing sanctions against Caracas for the presidential elections in which Maduro beat his main rival, opposition leader Henrique Capriles, by a narrow margin of just 2%.

Last month, the Venezuelan government decided to suspend the dialogue with the U.S. to improve bilateral relations until they were clear of Washington's plans regarding the South American country.

This decision was prompted by actions of the Secretary of State for Latin America, Roberta Jacobson, who allegedly met with Capriles on the eve of the elections on April 14.

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http://www.contrainjerencia.com/?p=66188

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The head of state said that the Venezuelan government wants to have the best possible relations with all governments around the world, including the United States, but on the basis of respect.

“There cannot be any type of threats,” he said.

To the US government, Maduro said: “If you want to have relations based on respect, conversations, cooperation, that’s welcome.”

http://venezuela-us.org/2013/04/24/calixto-ortega-designated-as-chief-of-venezuelan-embassy-in-washington/

[Judi Lynn]

1. They've been told the same thing, in different ways by almost all the leaders in LatAm.

What a shame they don't give a #### in Washington.

[Catherina]

2. I think he's wasting his time for the moment

But sooner or later... one day... the message has to sink in.

"We want to have the best ties with all the world's governments, and the U.S. government, but on the basis of respect. There can be no threats," said Maduro.

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"As we don't have ambassadors, we have for a while been considering naming a new charge d'affaires to our embassy in Washington," Maduro said.

"I have decided to name Calixto Ortega so that dialogue with U.S. society may increase, with the universities, the academic world, the social and union world, the Afro-American community, the Latino community, Congress, senators, representatives, the economic, trade and energy sectors."

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We hope one day to have respectful relations with the United States, a dialogue between equals, state-to-state," Maduro said. "Sooner rather than later, the elites running the United States will have to realize there is a new, independent, sovereign and dignified Latin America."

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http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/23/us-venezela-usa-idUSBRE93M1J820130423