Venezuela not to recall ambassador despite Peru's withdrawal

Venezuela will not recall its ambassador to Lima even though Peru has called back its ambassador from Caracas, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Ali Rodriguez Araque said on Sunday.

"We will not reciprocate. We will give our ambassador instructions to stay in Lima," Rodriguez told state television VTV, adding that the Venezuelan government would not yield to provocations such as the demonstrations outside his official residence.

Peru announced on Saturday night an immediate withdrawal of its ambassador, citing "flagrant and persistent interference by Caracas" in Peru's domestic politics.

Alan Garcia, Peruvian presidential candidate, has called Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez "a conceited scoundrel" for asking Peru and Colombia to withdraw from free trade agreements with the United States.

The Venezuelan president, who announced his country's exit from regional trade body the Andean Community of Nations on April 19, said later that he would reconsider the decision if Peru and Colombia reconsider their trade agreements.

Chavez also accused Garcia of being "corrupt," "shameless" and a "thief," saying he would withdraw his ambassador to Peru if Garcia wins the presidency.

Peru recalled its ambassador in January after Chavez made public his support for Peruvian presidential candidate Ollanta Humala, but the ambassador swiftly returned to Caracas.

Humala won the first round presidential elections on April 9 and will face Garcia in a runoff on May 28.

Source: Xinhua