Mexico, Venezuela withdraw ambassadors

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=news&cat=8&id=355360

MEXICO CITY — Venezuela and Mexico on Monday decided to withdraw ambassadors from each other's country amid a deepening dispute between Venezuela's leftist President Hugo Chavez and his conservative Mexican counterpart Vicente Fox.

The move came as Venezuela angrily rejected Mexico's demand that it apologize for statements by Chavez, who has called Fox "a lapdog" of the United States.

The row started after Fox criticized Chavez's stance at last week's Summit of the Americas in Argentina.

Fox, a former Coca Cola executive, is a strong supporter of U.S.-backed plans for a Free Trade Area of the Americas, while Chavez is among the leading opponents to the proposed pan-American free trade zone.

The outspoken Venezuelan leader stepped up his attacks during his weekly radio address Sunday, warning Fox: "Don't mess with me, gentleman; you'll get hurt."

[bahrbearian]

1. So Bush does have a Puppet,, and his Name is Vicente Fox

[aquart]

2. C'mon, Hugo. Vicente hasn't been our lapdog in years.

Sure, they were pals in the beginning, but that was a long time ago.

[400Years]

3. He's toting bush's water for FTAA