Garcia fires back; compares Chavez with Saddam Hussein
Peruvian candidate for President Alan Garcia compared Sunday Venezuelan President Hugo Chvez with ex Iraqi ruler Saddam Hussein and ascribed him a double moral with regard to the United States.
“He is a meddler who is breaking fundamental international principles. What does he think he is? Is he a Saddam Hussein who, because of having oil can take ownership of other countries?” Garcia commented based on Chavez’ support of Nationalist candidate Ollanta Humala.
Additionally, Social-Democrat Garcia called Chavez “corrupt and alcoholic” in a new round in the clash following Venezuela’s decision to leave the Andean Community of Nations (CAN) a week ago, AFP reported.
“I am not afraid of Chavez. I am not a Venezuelan conscript,” Garcia emphasized.
Garcia, who was the Peruvian President from 1985 to 1990 and a friend of ex Venezuelan President Carlos Andres Perez, a major political opponent of Chavez, stated, “I will not make further remarks. I will not waste more time with you, Mr. Chavez.”
eluniversal.com
Lima recalls ambassador from Venezuela
LIMA, Peru — Peru said yesterday it withdrew its ambassador to Venezuela for the second time this year over “persistent and flagrant interference” in the country’s affairs by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
The Peruvian government cited Mr. Chavez’s threat Friday to withdraw his ambassador to Lima and cut relations with Peru if former President Alan Garcia won the Peruvian presidential election. Mr. Chavez favors leftist Ollanta Humala.
“The Peruvian government has decided to withdraw its ambassador to the Republic of Venezuela with immediate effect, due to its persistent and flagrant interference in Peru’s domestic affairs,” the Foreign Ministry said.
Venezuelan officials could not immediately be reached for comment.
Mr. Chavez, a self-proclaimed socialist revolutionary sharply at odds with Washington, first clashed with Peru at the start of the year after openly backing Mr. Humala, who won the first round of the April 9 presidential election.
Peru temporarily withdrew its ambassador from Caracas on Jan. 5 after President Alejandro Toledo accused Mr. Chavez of “political meddling” in the election by supporting Mr. Humala.
Mr. Humala has pledged greater state intervention in Peru’s free-market economy and to radically redistribute Peru’s wealth in favor of the poor.
In Havana earlier yesterday, Mr. Chavez criticized both Mr. Garcia and Mr. Toledo as “crocodiles from the same water hole.”
Bolivia weighs in on Peru vote along with Venezuela
LA PAZ, Bolivia (Reuters) – Bolivian President Evo Morales invited nationalist Peruvian candidate Ollanta Humala on Sunday to visit Bolivia, after Peru withdrew its ambassador to Caracas over Venezuela’s comments backing Humala in its presidential election.