Venezuela has terminated talks with the United States

[Catherina]

Cancillería Vzla ?@vencancilleria

[COMMUNIQUE] The Bolivarian Government has terminated talks that were aimed at regularizing diplomatic relations with the USA

https://twitter.com/vencancilleria/status/358433609109078017

[hr]
http://www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve/noticias/actualidad/politica/este-es-el-comunicado-con-el-que-venezuela-termina.aspx

Translation mine

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs categorically rejects the statements issued to the Foreign Relations Committee of the U.S. Senate, by Samantha Power, candidate for Ambassador of that country to the Organization of the United Nations, where she claimed it would be part of her work to "fight the repression of civil society" conducted by several countries, among them Venezuela.

Her disrespectful opinions were endorsed and supported by the State Department today, contradicting the tone and content of the statements made by the Secretary of State John Kerry, in his June meetings with the Chancellor of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Elias Jaua, in the city of Antigua, Guatemala.

The concerns expressed by the U.S. government about the alleged repression in Venezuela into civil society are unacceptable and unfounded; on the contrary, the Bolivarian Government of Venezuela has amply demonstrated that it possesses a strong system of constitutional guarantees to preserve the practice of and unconditional respect for fundamental human rights, as has been recognized by the United Nations on many occasions and situations (scenarios).

However, the world constantly expresses concern about the repressive practices exercised by the United States, including the violation of human rights in the illegal internment camp of Guantanamo, the massacres of civilians by drones and the lamentable persecution unleashed against Edward Snowden, a victim of fierce repression, for exercising his right to dissent and denouncing practices of the Government of the United States which violate, among other things, the right to privacy of all people in the world, enshrined in Article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in addition to the blatant intent to violate the rules governing the right to asylum, widely recognized by civilized nations.

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela reiterates that, as has been expressed by the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, in order to build a good relationship with the U.S. government, requires practicing mutual respect and the full and total recognition of the principles of sovereignty and self-determination.

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela will never accept interference of any kind in its internal affairs. Due to the backing of the State Department for interventionist agenda raised by the candidate Ambassador, Samatha Power, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela terminates the processes initiated during the Guatemala talks, which were designed to stabilize our diplomatic relations.

Caracas, 19 July 2013

“The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela will never accept meddling in its internal affairs. We reject the fact that a nominee for the post of UN ambassador has interference in Venezuela on her agenda,” said Elias Jaua, the Venezuelan minister of foreign affairs.

http://rt.com/news/venezuela-ends-dialogue-us-relations-352/

Kerry's bullying phone call, (here and here), Samantha Powers insults, and the US government's refusal to correct her statement, didn't go over well.

Things are zipping right along. We're winning hearts and minds everywhere this month.

[cantbeserious]

1. Sometimes One Just Has Stand Firm Aganist An Agressor And Bully

eom

[Hydra]

2. And the process continues

One of my friends was having a rough time once. Something beyond horrible had happened to them, and they weren't able to cope with it and made a huge mistake in judgement. They were totally embarrassed, and I felt the need to say something.

"There's nothing wrong with making a mistake. It IS wrong to continue a mistake."

Our Party has continued the illegal policies of the Bush Admin. That was a mistake...and it's continuing...and the snowball is getting bigger.

This imperialism HAS to stop.

[Judi Lynn]

5. It's an odd, horrible day when Democrats find their own leaders

actually duplicating the postures of the worst leaders this country has ever had. It's hard to accept. Democrats have ALWAYS been better than that. Democrats used to represent the broad spectrum of Americans from all walks of life, not just the ones who contribute the big bucks to election campaigns for the right policy.

So hard to accept, don't think it's possible, actually. Right is still right, not right-wing.

[Hydra]

7. I think where we as a country went wrong

Was in allowing the political/gov't processes become a business. As someone else pointed out,t he Congresscritters have to spend most of their time dialing for dollars, then they have to push things to pay back those donors. How much time do they have for us? Do they even think of us as their boss? I'm guessing they think of their moneyed benefactors as their bosses, and us as the people they just have to convince to vote for them.

I've always gotten flak for saying this, but I believe it's true- Democracy and Capitalism don't mix. I think we're seeing just how they don't mix in the largest way possible.

[Socialistlemur]

8. Will have to find a better mix I guess

I have been thoroughly disappointed by the perversion of democracy by powerful interests. However, I did notice the Soviet Union and Cuba have had terrible dictatorships. The Venezuelan government isn't democratic either. I guess I'm starting to become a nihilist, nothing satisfies me.

[Hydra]

9. Gov't by nature is a few people in control

If you are correct that it can't be any other way, we have to do it in a way that benefits normal people and keeps our environment whole. At this point, we're getting the worst of all worlds.

[Socialistlemur]

10. It depends on what "few" means

The centralization of power is by its very nature extremely corrupting. This is why communist systems such as the Soviet Union's, North Korea's and Cuba's evolved into highly centralized dictatorships with a single individual making decisions, who lacked information and feedback and therefore ruined the economy.

I think the key is to have very strong separation of powers, and a requirement for major changes such as constitutional amendments to be approved at least twice over time (say 10 years apart). A free media is very important...and thus media monopolies have to be outlawed within the constitution itself.

Like I wrote earlier, I'm not very hopeful because I see increasing centralized power everywhere. But I definitely prefer a set up like say Great Britains with some modifications to weaken the Prime Minister's power by enhancing the power of the House of Lords. And I would definitely stay away from these so called socialist entities like Venezuela's, where personality worship of what turned out to be a charismatic but very incompetent man has led to near economic ruin.

[Zorro]

3. Venezuela had no real interest in improving relations with the US

It would only serve to reduce Maduro's support base.

[flamingdem]

4. Same with some in the USA, like John Bolton and RW Cuban Americans

Here's another thread on this. Sectors see her as pro-Israel and were against her nomination to the UN.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023302431#post3

[Socialistlemur]

6. I dont think Maduro's support base really cares

Based on polling I've seen the majority of Venezuelans realize the USA is a bit uncouth and lacks manners. However at this point in time polls also show their main worry are day to day problems in particular inflation and food shortages.

Maduro doesn't realize at this time his words and communiques are playing to a foreign audience which lacks weight in Venezuela's internal affairs. I myself like feisty politicians who stand up to the USA, but the key issue I see is the EU willingness to stand up to NSA spying. Thie rest of this is, as far as I can see, poppycock. The lack of talks won't change anything. Maduro will still have PDVSA in bed with ChevronTexaco, Citgo will continue to be owned by PDVSA, and Venezuelan money will still flow into Miami real estate. Oh, and the USA will continue to export fuel to Venezuela, which is do or die for them because they lack the refining ability to fuel themselves.