Venezuela's foreign minister announced the country would be cutting diplomatic ties with the United States following the recent death of leader Hugo Chávez. Minister Elías Jaua accused a U.S. deputy at the Department of State of "wasting [Caracas'] time" in trying to foster relations with the interim government.
Roberta Jacobson, Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs, was quoted by the Venezuelan government of saying to a Spanish newspaper: "Anyone can win [Venezuela's upcoming presidential election]. [Henrique] Capriles could be a very good president, but we do not have a favorite."
Jaua likened the comments to meddling in the government's operations. Heavy favorite, and Hugo Chávez's hand-picked Bolivarian successor Nicolás Maduro is currently the interim president, which may explain why Jaua took umbrage to the remarks: "Ms. Jacobson inadvertently said something that's true, which is that her candidate is Henrique Capriles."
Venezuelan officials said they have cut all ties to Jacobson, considered the last direct link between Caracas and Washington. The announcement comes days after both countries traded barbs by expelling two attaches from the opposite country: Venezuela acting first. Neither country has posted ambassadors in the other's capital since 2010.
The two countries have a history of tense relations, ever since the late Chávez began referring to President George W. Bush as "the devil" and the United States as "the empire," suggesting hyper-imperialism.
Jaua did, however, leave the opportunity for future reestablishment of communications on the table between Venezuela and the U.S.
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