VHeadline.com News Editor Patrick J. O'Donoghue writes: On arrival in La Paz, Bolivia to meet President Evo Morales, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Frias has announced the withdrawal of Venezuelan Ambassador to Peru, Cruz Martinez.
The decision was made after a first meeting with Morales.
The Peruvian government has already withdrew its Ambassador to Venezuela, Carlos Urrutia.
The Venezuelan decision comes after Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo placed a formal complaint of alleged Venezuelan government interference in Peru following a slagging match between Chavez Frias and Peruvian presidential candidate, Alan Garcia.
Chavez Frias had stated that if Garcia, who was President in 1985-1990, wins the run-offs against Ollanta Humala, then he (Chavez) would withdraw the Ambassador.
To read moreVenezuela ambassador leaves Lima amid escalating Venezuela-Peru tension
(Related story)
CARACAS - The already tense Venezuela-Peru relations worsened on Thursday, after Venezuela recalled its ambassador in Lima, four days after Peru withdrew its ambassador in Caracas amid an escalating war of words. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said late on Wednesday that in view of the current rifts between Venezuela and Peru, he decided to recall his country's ambassador in Lima, Cruz Manuel Martinez.
Chavez announced the decision after meeting with Bolivian President Evo Morales during a visit to Bolivia. "We have no other choice but to withdraw our ambassador," he said. "And I gave the order with a great deal of regret."
Peru's President Alejandro Toledo ordered ambassador Carlos Urrutia to return home on Saturday, citing what he described as "the persistent and flagrant interference" of Chavez in Peru's domestic politics. Peru on Tuesday accused Venezuela of meddling in Peru's election campaign, an accusation rejected by Venezuela's permanent representative to the Organization of American States Jorge Valera.
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