MEXICO (Sputnik) — In December 2010, Hugo Chavez, who served as Venezuelan president at that time, refused to accept US Ambassador Larry Palmer nominated by Obama, accusing US diplomat of disrespectful statements about Venezuela.
After that, the United States revoked the visa of Venezuelan Ambassador Bernardo Alvarez. As a result, the diplomatic missions of the two countries are headed by Chargé d'Affaires.
"As a president, I sought diplomatic channels and sent the ambassador, but after one and a half years [Washington] has not given its approval," Maduro was quoted by Mexican El Universal portal as saying on Sunday.
In February 2014, Venezuela proposed Maximilian Arvelaez as ambassador to the United States, a post vacant since 2010. According to the head of the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry at the time, the move demonstrated Caracas' will to establish upright, frank and honest diplomatic relations with the United States.
"What kind of normal relations with Venezuela does the Obama administration want, if they are not able to approve the Ambassador, what do they expect?"
Both countries have also repeatedly expelled diplomats of lower ranks. In February, Maduro decided to expel three US diplomats for their alleged involvement in actions against the Venezuelan government. In response, Washington declared three employees of the Venezuelan embassy persona non grata.
