Venezuela has denounced criticisms by the US nominee for ambassador to Caracas, worsening relations between the nations soon after President Hugo Chávez severed diplomatic ties altogether with Colombia, Washington’s closest ally in the region.

Larry Palmer, the former president of the Inter-American Foundation in Washington, referred to “clear ties” between members of the Venezuelan government and Colombian guerrillas. He said it was “particularly troublesome” that the operational head of the Venezuelan army, among others, was considered a “kingpin” by the Office of Foreign Assets Control.

Similar accusations caused Venezuela’s president Hugo Chávez to break diplomatic ties with Colombia last month, as well as threaten to stop exporting crude oil to the US, who Venezuela’s anti-imperialist president says controls its Colombian “lackeys”.

Mr Palmer’s comments, in which he also questioned the integrity and competence of the Venezuelan army, are unusually harsh for a state department official and signal a hardening of the US stance towards Venezuela. They may even cost him his job before he even sets foot in the country.

“The content of those declarations sets a precedent of meddling and interventionism from someone that has not even arrived in Venezuelan territory yet,” the country’s foreign ministry said.

It described the comments as unacceptable and demanded explanations from the US government.

“How does he want us to receive him, if indeed he comes at all?” Carlos Mata Figueroa, the defence minister, asked at anniversary celebrations for the National Guard, who themselves are considered by US officials to be “deeply involved” in drug trafficking.

“Mr Palmer, you have just made a mistake… Go somewhere else with your cheap words,” he said.

Mr Palmer’s remarks were in response to questions from Senator Richard Lugar, the ranking member of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

According to a senior Senate aide, Mr Palmer’s responses reflect the beginnings of a more “clear-eyed” US policy towards Venezuela, although they represent a “more explicit rendition of what many have thought for years”.

“What we are seeing coming out of Caracas is troubling to say the least. There comes a time when a spade must be called as such. Mr Palmer’s responses are clearly mindful of US interests,” said the aide.

Mr Palmer downplayed the threat of Venezuela cutting off oil exports, explaining that the impact on Venezuela’s economy would be “serious” since the US accounted for more than half of Venezuela’s oil exports .

A confirmation vote for Mr Palmer’s nomination in the US Senate, which goes on recess on August 9, is expected to take place in September.

Source: Financial Times