MADRID, Spain: Venezuela and Spain have a common future, the Venezuelan ambassador in Madrid said Monday, downplaying an announcement by President Hugo Chavez that he was "freezing" bilateral relations until King Juan Carlos apologizes for telling him to shut up.
"The two countries have a common future beyond ups and downs," Ambassador to Spain Alfredo Toro said after holding a half-hour meeting with the top Foreign Ministry official for Latin America, Trinidad Jimenez.
Jimenez said that, "after hearing what President Chavez had said," she contacted the ambassador to "ask him if this would affect our bilateral relations." She said Toro assured there was no change in the countries' bilateral relations.
| Pity. Jimenez should have made clear that Spain would 'review its relations' with Venezuela until Hugo agreed to show good manners and ensure free elections. |
On Nov. 10, Juan Carlos told Chavez to "shut up" during an Ibero-American summit in Chile after the Venezuelan leader called Spain's former premier, Jose Maria Aznar, a fascist.
Chavez on Sunday said: "Until the king of Spain apologizes, I'm freezing relations with Spain."
| Good. Now we need to get other European officials to tell Hugo to stuff it. |
Chavez has said he will review Spanish business operations in Venezuela. But Leon said his latest remarks "are not very far removed from what he has been saying these days."
| He's doing that with all the foreign-owned businesses anyway, so you might as well tell Hugo what you think. |
In an interview with Antena 3 television, Leon avoided comment on whether the king or the Spanish government was considering an apology.
| Zappie wouldn't dare, he'd face a vote of no-confidence in the Spanish parliament if he uncut the King. |
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