Chavez rebuffs U.S. goodwill gesture
President Hugo Chavez snubbed a U.S. overture Tuesday, saying he was willing to talk but didn’t think Washington sincerely wanted to improve relations.
Chavez, who overwhelmingly won a third term Sunday, said that if the United States wanted to take meaningful steps, it would end the war in Iraq and extradite a jailed Cuban militant sought in Venezuela in connection with a 1976 airliner bombing.
“They want dialogue but on the condition that you accept their positions,” Chavez said at a news conference. “If the government of the United States wants dialogue, Venezuela will always have its door open. But I doubt the U.S. government is sincere.”
Chavez’s remarks came after U.S. Ambassador William R. Brownfield congratulated Venezuelans on a peaceful election and expressed Washington’s willingness to seek warmer relations.
Chavez accuses Washington of backing a 2002 coup attempt against him.
U.S. officials worry about the health of Venezuela’s democracy given a government dominated by the leftist Chavez and allies.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
