Chavez’s government condemns critical Clinton remarks about Venezuela

Venezuela condemns remarks by Clinton

CARACAS, Venezuela — President Hugo Chavez’s government condemned critical remarks by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, saying Thursday that they hurt the possibility of improving strained relations.

Clinton criticized the policies of Chavez’s government during a television interview in Ecuador this week. She said the U.S. is open to having a different relationship with Chavez but, “it doesn’t appear that he wants to.”

The Foreign Ministry called Clinton’s remarks “foolish and inopportune.”

Chavez, whose country’s biggest oil client is the U.S., has had tense relations with Washington for the past decade, especially during the administration of former President George W. Bush.

Chavez and President Obama shook hands at a summit last year and expressed hope of improving ties, but Chavez and U.S. officials have traded barbs since.

“Venezuela condemns the meddling and arrogant tone of the U.S. secretary of state,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement, adding that her remarks “do nothing more than limit the possibilities of a normalization of political relations.”

In a speech Wednesday night, Chavez also criticized Clinton.

“Look, Mrs. Clinton,” he said, “We’re really sorry here about what is happening to the people of the United States. … They’re the ones who are suffering with some of the measures that Obama is taking.”