VENEZUELA: Venezuela's outspoken left-wing president, Hugo Chavez, has triggered a diplomatic dispute with Peru by openly backing a nationalist Peruvian presidential candidate for the spring elections, writes Greg Morsbach in Caracas
Peru recalled its ambassador to Venezuela yesterday in protest at the support for Ollanta Humala, a military officer turned politician.
President Chavez had heaped praise on Mr Humala on Tuesday for "joining in the battle" against the US-backed Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA).
He was speaking at a joint press conference with his close friend, Bolivia's president-elect Evo Morales. He also complimented his Peruvian guest for leading a military uprising five years ago.
The Peruvian foreign ministry said the remarks "constituted interference in the internal affairs of Peru".
Relations between Venezuela and Mexico are still frozen after November's spat between Mr Chavez and his Mexican counterpart, Vicente Fox - he called President Fox a "lapdog of the United States".
Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Colombia and Panama have temporarily removed their ambassadors from Caracas in the past few years after verbal attacks by Mr Chavez.
Former ambassador to India and China Jocelyn Henriquez said: "This is a tactical move on the part of Mr Chavez based on the certainty that Humalla is on the winning side. Mr Chavez has in the past proved to be a very good strategist."