CARACAS, VENEZUELA (AP) - Opponents of Hugo Chavez urged President Barack Obama on Sunday not to warm up to the Venezuelan president without raising concerns about democracy and dissidents in their country.
“The president’s authoritarianism, which grows everyday, must be discussed,” said Milos Alcalay, who was Venezuelan ambassador to the United Nations until he resigned in 2004 over differences with Chavez.
Chavez announced Saturday that Venezuela is restoring its ambassador to Washington, saying he hopes for a “new era” in relations with the U.S. after meeting Obama at the Summit of the Americas in the Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago.
The fiery socialist leader had stormy relations with the former administration and once likened President George W. Bush to the devil.
Venezuela’s opposition welcomes improved diplomatic relations between Caracas and Washington, as well as Brazilian President Inacio Lula de Silva’s call for a future meeting between Chavez and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Alcalay said in a telephone interview.
But the former diplomat also urged Clinton to meet with government adversaries who accuse Chavez of stifling dissent. That includes recently elected Maracaibo Mayor Manuel Rosales, who stepped down and went into hiding this month after a corruption case against him was resurrected.
“She must talk with the opposition, church representatives and others worried about democracy in Venezuela,” he said.
Former Defense Minister Raul Baduel was jailed last month on charges that funds went missing on his watch. Baduel _ a one-time Chavez ally _ also claims the president is persecuting him for joining the opposition after leaving the government two years ago.
Chavez denies pressuring prosecutors and judges to sideline his adversaries. He says opposition leaders recently brought up on charges are “criminals” who should face justice.
Chavez also expelled the U.S. ambassador to Venezuela, Patrick Duddy, in September in solidarity with Bolivian President Evo Morales, who evicted U.S. Ambassador Philip Goldberg on claims that he helped Morales’ opposition incite violence.
Washington reciprocated by kicking out both nations’ ambassadors.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.