Agreement improves bilateral communication, enhances U.S. outreach - State Department
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
June 25, 2009
STATEMENT BY IAN KELLY, SPOKESMAN
The United States and Venezuela Agree to Resume Full Diplomatic Representation
Through an exchange of diplomatic notes, the United States and Venezuela have agreed to rescind the declarations of persona non grata issued in September 2008 and return U.S. Ambassador Patrick D. Duddy and Venezuelan Ambassador Bernardo Álvarez to their respective posts in Caracas and Washington.
An experienced career diplomat, Ambassador Duddy enjoys the full confidence of President Obama and Secretary Clinton. With his return, full diplomatic representation will resume. This important step will help advance U.S. interests by improving bilateral communication and enhancing our outreach to the Venezuelan people.
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6.25.2009
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3.21.2009
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Political division shadows Venezuelan baseball team
Organizers of the World Baseball Classic, which ends Monday, say competition is aimed at showcasing international talent and bringing the game to new fans. For the Venezuelan team, the contest has drawn unwanted attention to the country's political divide. Some Venezuelan fans in the U.S. are venting their frustration at one top player.
International sporting contests often provoke displays of national pride. But this year's World Baseball Classic has done that and more for the team from Venezuela and one of its top sluggers.
"We call him a sell-out, a traitor, a Chavista, and a lot of people whistle when he comes up to bat," said Carlos Fenice, a Miami car salesman.
The target of those calls is Magglio Ordonez, who plays professionally in Detroit. Fans object because Ordonez is a vocal supporter of President Hugo Chavez and recently recorded a campaign ad in support of him.
Miami is home to a large Venezuelan immigrant community, where many reject the Socialist-inspired policies of President Chavez. At home in Venezuela, the Chavez government claims broad support, but recent elections show opposition is growing.
Carlos Fenice says ball player Ordonez has widened the political divide even further. "Public figures should be very careful with what they say, because they can hurt a lot of people's feelings," he said. "And that is what Ordonez has done."
Others say the controversy distracts from the tournament. Orthodontist Gustavo Munoz traveled from Venezuela to see his team play.
"We don't want to mix sports with politics, because baseball brings people together and politics only divides them. We want to focus on the team," said Munoz.
The fan reactions also have highlighted the long-running tensions between the governments of Venezuela and the United States.
Fan Jose Echevarria says the political debate over Mr. Chavez's policies should be a domestic issue. "We Venezuelans need to deal with these problems ourselves and not let them spill outside the country or into the world of sports," he said.
Critics of Mr. Chavez agree that politics have no place in baseball, and Gilberto Rios says Ordonez should keep his political views private.
"There are plenty of other players who have met the president, but they don't talk about it publicly," said Rios. "And that is what bothers many of us."
Ordonez has shrugged off the criticism, saying he is proud of his ties to Mr. Chavez. Team manager Luis Sojo says, in spite of a few boos, the overall support from Venezuelan fans has been strong.
"Coming to Miami where there are a lot of Venezuelans, that support is very important," he said. "They showed their emotion here."
Venezuela won all three of its games in Miami, advancing to the semifinals in Los Angeles. Fans say the boos will likely follow Ordonez, but they hope the team's success continues as well.
International sporting contests often provoke displays of national pride. But this year's World Baseball Classic has done that and more for the team from Venezuela and one of its top sluggers.
"We call him a sell-out, a traitor, a Chavista, and a lot of people whistle when he comes up to bat," said Carlos Fenice, a Miami car salesman.
The target of those calls is Magglio Ordonez, who plays professionally in Detroit. Fans object because Ordonez is a vocal supporter of President Hugo Chavez and recently recorded a campaign ad in support of him.
Miami is home to a large Venezuelan immigrant community, where many reject the Socialist-inspired policies of President Chavez. At home in Venezuela, the Chavez government claims broad support, but recent elections show opposition is growing.
Carlos Fenice says ball player Ordonez has widened the political divide even further. "Public figures should be very careful with what they say, because they can hurt a lot of people's feelings," he said. "And that is what Ordonez has done."
Others say the controversy distracts from the tournament. Orthodontist Gustavo Munoz traveled from Venezuela to see his team play.
"We don't want to mix sports with politics, because baseball brings people together and politics only divides them. We want to focus on the team," said Munoz.
The fan reactions also have highlighted the long-running tensions between the governments of Venezuela and the United States.
Fan Jose Echevarria says the political debate over Mr. Chavez's policies should be a domestic issue. "We Venezuelans need to deal with these problems ourselves and not let them spill outside the country or into the world of sports," he said.
Critics of Mr. Chavez agree that politics have no place in baseball, and Gilberto Rios says Ordonez should keep his political views private.
"There are plenty of other players who have met the president, but they don't talk about it publicly," said Rios. "And that is what bothers many of us."
Ordonez has shrugged off the criticism, saying he is proud of his ties to Mr. Chavez. Team manager Luis Sojo says, in spite of a few boos, the overall support from Venezuelan fans has been strong.
"Coming to Miami where there are a lot of Venezuelans, that support is very important," he said. "They showed their emotion here."
Venezuela won all three of its games in Miami, advancing to the semifinals in Los Angeles. Fans say the boos will likely follow Ordonez, but they hope the team's success continues as well.
Venezuelan military takes control of transportation hubs
Venezuela's military has taken control of a number of major airports and maritime ports, following a recently-enacted law that hands control of the facilities to the central government.
Soldiers on Saturday occupied terminals in three Venezuelan states. Individual states previously controlled the transportation hubs.
Critics say the move is designed to expand President Hugo Chavez's power and weaken his opponents.
Opposition gubernatorial and mayoral candidates made gains in November elections, taking a number of key seats including leadership of the capital city, Caracas.
Mr. Chavez was quoted by the AFP news service as saying he was reunifying the motherland, which he said was in pieces.
The Venezuelan president has warned that state governors who challenge the new law might be arrested.
Mr. Chavez recently won a referendum that removed term limits for politicians, allowing him to run for a third term.
Soldiers on Saturday occupied terminals in three Venezuelan states. Individual states previously controlled the transportation hubs.
Critics say the move is designed to expand President Hugo Chavez's power and weaken his opponents.
Opposition gubernatorial and mayoral candidates made gains in November elections, taking a number of key seats including leadership of the capital city, Caracas.
Mr. Chavez was quoted by the AFP news service as saying he was reunifying the motherland, which he said was in pieces.
The Venezuelan president has warned that state governors who challenge the new law might be arrested.
Mr. Chavez recently won a referendum that removed term limits for politicians, allowing him to run for a third term.
3.20.2009
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Cuba to restore ties with Costa Rica
Cuba has agreed to restore diplomatic relations with Costa Rica, just one day after Costa Rican President Oscar Arias announced his country would re-establish the ties.
In a statement Thursday, Cuba's foreign ministry said the Cuban government's decision is "consistent" with its "mission of integration and unity" with the people of Latin America and the Caribbean.
Relations between Cuba and Costa Rica were cut off in 1961, shortly after the Cuban Revolution, which brought Fidel Castro to power and turned the island into a communist state.
Announcing the renewal of ties almost 50 years later, President Arias said times have changed and that Costa Rica must change.
El Salvador's President-elect Mauricio Funes announced he will also re-open ties with Cuba after he takes office June 1.
The announcements come about a week before U.S. Vice President Joe Biden visits Costa Rica to consult with Central American leaders ahead of the Summit of the Americas next month.
U.S. President Barack Obama is scheduled to attend the gathering, which will be held in Trinidad and Tobago.
In a statement Thursday, Cuba's foreign ministry said the Cuban government's decision is "consistent" with its "mission of integration and unity" with the people of Latin America and the Caribbean.
Relations between Cuba and Costa Rica were cut off in 1961, shortly after the Cuban Revolution, which brought Fidel Castro to power and turned the island into a communist state.
Announcing the renewal of ties almost 50 years later, President Arias said times have changed and that Costa Rica must change.
El Salvador's President-elect Mauricio Funes announced he will also re-open ties with Cuba after he takes office June 1.
The announcements come about a week before U.S. Vice President Joe Biden visits Costa Rica to consult with Central American leaders ahead of the Summit of the Americas next month.
U.S. President Barack Obama is scheduled to attend the gathering, which will be held in Trinidad and Tobago.
President Obama announces trip to Mexico
U.S. President Barack Obama has announced he will travel to Mexico next month, making his first trip to that country as president.
Mexico's government says President Obama will visit the country on April 16 and 17.
Mr. Obama announced the trip Wednesday during a meeting with members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. He and Mexican President Felipe Calderon are expected to discuss a number of issues, including comprehensive immigration reform and the fight against drug-related violence in Mexico.
That violence has spiked across Mexico, with more than 7,000 people killed since last year.
Mr. Obama will be meeting with President Calderon for the second time in two months. The two first met in January, about a week before Mr. Obama was inaugurated.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will travel to Mexico from March 25 through 26. Her talks will cover an initiative under which the U.S. is helping Mexico combat violent drug traffickers.
Mexico's government says President Obama will visit the country on April 16 and 17.
Mr. Obama announced the trip Wednesday during a meeting with members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. He and Mexican President Felipe Calderon are expected to discuss a number of issues, including comprehensive immigration reform and the fight against drug-related violence in Mexico.
That violence has spiked across Mexico, with more than 7,000 people killed since last year.
Mr. Obama will be meeting with President Calderon for the second time in two months. The two first met in January, about a week before Mr. Obama was inaugurated.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will travel to Mexico from March 25 through 26. Her talks will cover an initiative under which the U.S. is helping Mexico combat violent drug traffickers.
Russia, Argentina Sign Visa-Free Agreement
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has signed an agreement allowing visa-free travel between Argentina and his country.
Argentine ambassador to Russia Leopoldo Bravo attended the signing ceremony Wednesday in Moscow. Argentine Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana signed the document last week in Buenos Aires.
The agreement will take effect after ratification by parliaments of both countries.
Russia's Itar-Tass news agency says under the agreement, citizens of Russia and Argentina will be able to enter and leave the territories of each others' countries without visas. They will also be able to travel through or stay there for 90 to 180 days.
Travelers seeking longer visits or those who wish to engage in business will still need visas.
Argentine ambassador to Russia Leopoldo Bravo attended the signing ceremony Wednesday in Moscow. Argentine Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana signed the document last week in Buenos Aires.
The agreement will take effect after ratification by parliaments of both countries.
Russia's Itar-Tass news agency says under the agreement, citizens of Russia and Argentina will be able to enter and leave the territories of each others' countries without visas. They will also be able to travel through or stay there for 90 to 180 days.
Travelers seeking longer visits or those who wish to engage in business will still need visas.