Chávez Says He’s Willing to Consider Sending Ambassador to U.S.
EmailPORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD — Last September, after an escalating war of words with Washington, D.C., Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez pulled his country’s ambassador from the United States and kicked out the American Ambassador to his country.
Today, after a group meeting with President Obama, Chávez says he’s willing to reconsider that step.
"It is possible we will begin evaluating the designation of an ambassador in the United States," Chávez announced Saturday evening. "We want to move in that direction. We take Obama at his word, with the one difference we have: We are socialists."
This morning Obama met with the 12 leaders who head the nations of South America, who make up the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), including Chávez, who with typical Chavez-ian subtlety, presented Obama with a book. After the meeting, Chávez met with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to discuss working meetings to soon be set up between the two countries.
"I spoke with the secretary of state. She thanked me for the references, which are not new — every time I have been asked in the past few years about the possibility of improving relations, I have replied with the Clinton era as an example. I have said it and I have repeated it here and she thanked me for it. I sent greetings to [former President Bill] Clinton, with whom we had dialogue as the human beings we are," Chávez said.
In referring to Obama, Chávez indicated that "we have begun to speak and that in itself is a good start. I think we have started on the right foot. … I think we should progress quickly towards a new relation with Cuba based on respect, without conditions, and I think there is a good chance that will happen."
– jpt
Gulf of Mexico to Become Gulf of America? 
Can Mitt Romney Win Conservatives Back?
It sounds like Chavez is in charge of Obama – kind of like the dem congress.
Posted by: Ben | April 18, 2009, 7:12 pm 7:12 pm
Nobody is in charge of President Obama! He’s in Charge. I guess he should start yelling, ranting and raving, selling “wolf tickets”, uhm, that doesn’t make you tough! Usually, that’s the coward of the group!
Posted by: sngeorgia | April 18, 2009, 7:26 pm 7:26 pm
Why does Obama allow himself to be controlled by other governments? I think he has good intentions but doesn’t seem to know how to carry them out. His derogitory comments about the U.S. have made him weaker.
Posted by: Patty | April 18, 2009, 7:33 pm 7:33 pm
Cool calm and collected and still clueless … he didn’t know JFKs “first test” was yesterday, Bay of Pigs or that it was before his birth NOT after, nor can he even read enough Spanish to know he’s been royally dissed.
Posted by: robert b | April 18, 2009, 7:36 pm 7:36 pm
Obama is taking the right steps. He clearly wants to heal battered relations with other countries. His opening to Cuba is long overdue. Chavez is not entirely wrong. The U.S. has long meddled in Latin American affairs by promoting the installing of right-wing dictatorships.
Nicaragua and Chile are two examples of American interference. The U.S. participated in the overthrow of democratically elected governments in both countries.
What hypocrites were are, preaching about democracy around the world but overthrowing elected governments of which we don’t approve.
Obama is trying to undo the damage, and he deserves our support.
Posted by: jerrywarriner | April 18, 2009, 7:42 pm 7:42 pm
Obama needs to be a Leader with backbone,& direction. Right now he looks like the wet noodle, wishy washy new kid, with strings attached. Not the US image we need in this day & age.
Posted by: OhioModerate | April 18, 2009, 7:47 pm 7:47 pm
before CHAVEZ sends an envoy to United States. Obama will have to surrender our rights to CHAVEZ
Posted by: rat face | April 18, 2009, 7:48 pm 7:48 pm
That is awesome!Did anyone see that “handshake”? Actually it was more of the soul-brother handshake- not the traditional handshake that usually accompany diplomatic meetings. They seemed to get along so well together, you’d almost think Chavez was also mentored by Rev.Wright.
Posted by: Ed | April 18, 2009, 7:51 pm 7:51 pm
On Nicaragua – baloney – the 1979 revolution was a violent leftist insurrection not an election and the 1984 election of Marxist Sandinistas was more than a bit like a rubber stamp because main opposition was threatened and withdrew from the election asking for “freedom of speech, freedom of organization, release of all political prisoners, cease of hostilities against the opposition, lifting the censorship on the media and abolishing all the laws violating humans rights”. When with American assistance and pressure, and the fall of the Soviet Union the field was clear for a clear trouncing of the Sandinistas in 1990. Now an older if not wiser Ortega leads again but only in coalition with other parties leaving in place a multiparty legislative democracy.
Posted by: robert b | April 18, 2009, 8:02 pm 8:02 pm
The only thing Obama has to apologize for is his behavior. It is downright shameful!
Posted by: jeff | April 18, 2009, 8:04 pm 8:04 pm
Poor Obama, i really feel for this guy. He is busy cleaning up the mess Bush created while having to take care of the country’s non-Bush related matters that he would have had to do as president during normal times. work hard buddy and good luck to you
Posted by: Question | April 18, 2009, 8:28 pm 8:28 pm
Obama is calm, cool and collected. That`s the sign of an intelligent leader. When you are the most powerful man in the world, you do not need to talk tough since you are already feared.Unfortunately repubs believe our president must talk tough and rant before thinking.
Sorry, intelligent leaders dont do that.
What makes a feared leader even more respected is the ability to listen.
This is typical of Obama.
Posted by: keith | April 18, 2009, 8:51 pm 8:51 pm
Of course, the only ‘intelligent leaders’ have a D after their name.
Too bad they can’t either figure out how to do their taxes, or can’t figure out how to get away with not paying them.
Posted by: RR GOP | April 18, 2009, 10:41 pm 10:41 pm
What we have here is a president who is learning the job as he goes with no understanding of how to do it or what the American people. Lets hope he is a quick learner as early on this has not happened. Beware of your enemies. Maybe after Chavez takes over some more US companies the lessons might sink in or maybe not!!!
Posted by: William | April 18, 2009, 10:50 pm 10:50 pm
Posted by: jerrywarriner | Apr 18, 2009 7:42:54 PM
Thank you, jerry – spot on. Another mention would be Guatemala and the United Fruit Company….
Posted by: Kitt | April 18, 2009, 11:35 pm 11:35 pm
President Obama continues to be the
laughingstock of the world!
I understand that he pledged to
meet with the leaders of Iran, Cuba,
North Korea, and Venezuela without
pre-conditions during the 2008
elections.
However I was hoping that he would
have a little more common sense
as president.
Shaking hands with and exchanging
smiles with Chavez, Raul Castro, and
Ortega is beyond the pale!
These three gentlemen have presided
over the murders of hundreds of
thousands of their own people.
Hundreds of thousands political
prisoners are rotting in jails in
Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua!
Had he been president before the
start of World War II would Obama
have sat down and had a chat with
Adolf Hitler? Mussolini?
Osama Bin Laden must be rolling on the
floor laughing!
God help us.
Posted by: reaganfan | April 18, 2009, 11:36 pm 11:36 pm
sngeorgia:
Yeah, Obama is in charge! Not!
He’s so in charge that both the
North Korean’s and the Iranians have
ignored him and are continuing with
their nuclear programs.
He’s so in charge that the Nato
leaders he met with promised no
additional combat troops to help with
the war in Afganistan.
Just think what a mess we would be in
if President Obama wasn’t in charge!
Put the pom poms down, take off the
rose-colored glasses and get real!
Posted by: reaganfan | April 18, 2009, 11:43 pm 11:43 pm
“Peace sells, but who’s buying” Megadeth
Will the US finally stop demonizing others? We condemn them for human rights, but we do off 1.5 million babies a year. Let’s talk with some mutual respect, and something good may come of it. Getting our companies back in Orinco would be a good thing.
Posted by: Huh | April 18, 2009, 11:56 pm 11:56 pm
This was a good move. We really don’t have conflicts with Venezuela, and it was only diplomatic clumsiness on the part of the last administration that made them an issue. Dealing with them as a minor side issue at this large conference was an appropriate move. Get the embassies restaffed and shuffle relations off to to the second tier desk at State where they belong.
We have talks with China and look into Russia’s eyes regularly, yet merely talking to Venezuela is a problem? Just another sign of how disconnected from reality the Republican world view is.
Posted by: jhw539 | April 19, 2009, 12:24 am 12:24 am
Amazing jhw539
You have no words of wisdom for reaganfan
Posted by: lm | April 19, 2009, 12:27 am 12:27 am
Talking can’t hurt… maybe some good will come of it… better to look on the bright side.
Posted by: Lisa | April 19, 2009, 12:36 am 12:36 am
Chavez is making his list of demands and he won’t be successful because Obama is not anyone’s puppet. All of these Latin American countries using Cuba as the carrot in order to forge relations with America.. ain’t gonna work Chavez, Ortega of Herrera.
President Obama is in control and some world leader are confusing cooperation and dialogue with weakness. Look how Sarkozy flipped out this week. Now in Latin America they think they can manipulate the smartest main in the ballroom.
As Obama marks day 60 of his presidency he is in total control of our world from his trip to the G-20 to the Summit of the Americas; he is large and in charge.
Chavez said, “I think we should progress quickly towards a new relation with Cuba based on respect, without conditions, and I think there is a good chance that will happen.”
There are always going to be preconditions the Castro brothers are going to have to deal with in order for the trade embargo to be lifted.
If Chavez is so powerful, yes I know he is Mr. Petroleum of Latin America, why does he have to hitch his wagon to Cuba?
Lack of confidence, I guess.
Posted by: clarity | April 19, 2009, 1:13 am 1:13 am
Jake Tapper’s Political Punch has turned into Fruit Punch infiltrated by the illiterati right wing neocons.
Posted by: clarity | April 19, 2009, 1:21 am 1:21 am
The country of Venezuela is dangerous because of this ‘crazy’ leader, Chavez. Obama wanted to change; Obama is wrong. I don’t think we will have Ambassador to the US from Venezuela; they made this up. They can’t be trusted. I don’t trusted these Latin America leaders. We should boycott the Latin America countries Venezuela, Boliva, Peru, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Mexico, and Central America countries and Cuba, for example just like Spain. Obama has a ‘lack’ of inexperience and leadership. He will lose the election in 2012.
Posted by: anonymous | April 19, 2009, 5:24 am 5:24 am
Some of you bloggers want Obama to be a clueless leader like your George Bush..Ain’t going to happen because Obama is smart..probably the smartest president we have ever had.
Posted by: Stanley | April 19, 2009, 5:25 am 5:25 am
anonymous,
You are right..Obama has a “lack of inexperience” ha ha..in essence what you are saying is that he has a lot of experience..”out of the heart the mouth speaketh”..so even when you try to “cut down” our intelligent president you are indeed complementing him. So much for you smart Republicans(wink, wink). Obama is the brightest president that we have ever had..hands down..no debate.
Posted by: Stanley | April 19, 2009, 5:30 am 5:30 am
Obama is a strong leader..don’t be fooled by his wanting to have a cordial relationship with everyone. Obama is probably the brightest,smartest president we have ever had..everyone who has interfaced with the guy talks about his brilliance..and the fact that he is a listener and respects people..ask Gates..who made a statement to that effect a few weeks ago when comparing Obama with George Bush. I am proud of our president and based on the most recent polls it seems as though a majority of Americans feel the same way. So those of you Republicans who like war and toxic relationships between America and the rest of the world..Obama is not your man and George Bush is gone! George Bush is gone and to that I say Hallelujah!
Posted by: Stanley | April 19, 2009, 5:36 am 5:36 am
Obama is just playing along with Hugo.. he’s like an elephant (not a GOP one) that never forgets any slights.. I’ll go out on the limb and say that Chavez may have guaranteed his own demise this w/e.
Posted by: DontGet818OnMeNow | April 19, 2009, 7:42 am 7:42 am
Obama is right at home with these left wing anti American diatribes by Ortega and Chavez.
Remember, this is a guy who sat in the pews of Rev Wright’s so-called church listening to the exact same vile (for 20 YEARS) – without a problem.
Nothing new here.
Can’t wait to see the ’10 and ’12 commercials with Obama smiling holding up Chavez’s anti American book.
What a tool!
Posted by: JeffJ | April 19, 2009, 10:41 am 10:41 am
The reason Obama seeks approval from dictators and third world oppressors is a simple one — he is on their side. They don’t like America, and Obama doesn’t like America. Obama’s spiritual guide, the Reverend Wright, said “God Damn America!” That is Obama’s guiding principle.
Posted by: RegisteredDem | April 19, 2009, 10:42 am 10:42 am
At least two people have said Obama is the smartest Pres we have ever had.
Really? Jefferson and Adams seem to be a couple that would present a serious threat to that hypothesis.
The worshipers that say things like this are the very reason the left loses any credibility after it gains power.
Posted by: Jay | April 19, 2009, 11:06 am 11:06 am
Ven needs US dollars.US needs Ven oil.
Ven is no threat to the U.S. (it is why the former President ignored Chavez)
If everyone feels good about themselves because Obama wants to play nice with an anti-american like Chavez, then by all means, feel good about yourselves.
Other than that, it doesn’t change anything.
Posted by: J House | April 19, 2009, 11:23 am 11:23 am
Exactly who was it that created the rift? Did Chavez inherit the “mess”? What was the state of affairs with Venezuela before Chavez? Precisely what was it that Bush did to set the malignant troll off? What do expect to get from a socialist? Please.
Posted by: Larry | April 19, 2009, 11:53 am 11:53 am
We the people are in for one big revolution. Obama has sold out America and will continue on a destructive path with the help of his new socialists friends. Spreading the wealth will take on a completely new meaning. Increasing welfare entitlements at levels never seen before with the recent stimulus bill is just the beginning spending our way into self-destruction.
Posted by: mike | April 19, 2009, 1:25 pm 1:25 pm
When you want to look at the future, look at your past as a guide.
Obama spent 20 years at one of America’s most racist church ( Trinity with Rev, Wright), and he also had no problem with terrorists like Ayers that acually bombed police headquaters.
Obama is very confortable with Chavez, Morales and Castro. He is home!! They all share the same values of socialism and marxim.
Posted by: JuneDenver | April 19, 2009, 4:50 pm 4:50 pm
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
Posted by: DontGet818OnMeNow | April 20, 2009, 9:35 am 9:35 am
“Obama spent 20 years at one of America’s most racist church”
Huh?
Obama went to Bob Jones University which didn’t allow interracial dating until the last couple of years and that basically looks on Catholics and other non Protestants like Al Queda does the infidel?
I did not know Obama went there.
I know Bush spoke there and I know right wingers love that place.
Posted by: Ryan C | April 20, 2009, 12:57 pm 12:57 pm
Oh c’mon. I’m so tired of people associating Obama with socialism, calling him weak for trying to be diplomatic, accusing him of hating America, or any other of this partisan rhetoric. Half the problems people like blaming him for are inherited from the previous Bush administration, and yes, Obama will screw up sometimes, but what president doesn’t? Criticize him if you want, but at least wait till we see some of the effects of his policies later down the road.
As for the handshake, what was he supposed to do, backhand Chavez on the spot? Big-stick negotiating doesn’t work anymore; we’re not as strong as we used to be. We can’t simply ignore these leaders anymore. I’d much rather have them under a watchful eye than pout in a corner, and I prefer a president who could push America’s agenda with a misguiding smile, instead of missiles and American lives.
Posted by: Madoc | April 26, 2009, 1:45 pm 1:45 pm