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US Diplomatic Agents in Venezuela for Soccer Tournament Branded As Terrorists
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ShareJuly 06, 2007 11:18 AM
Diplomatic Security Service Agents from the US State Department were detained at Maracaibo Airport in Venezuela where they were branded "terrorists" by the Venezuelan government. The agents were on assignment at the time to guard America's envoy to the Copa America soccer tournament.
Former Ambassador to Venezuela William Brownfield, who left his position just yesterday, told Reuters that the two agents were "jacked around" upon their arrival two weeks ago by Venezuelan officials who then revoked the agents' weapons permits. The weapons were later returned to US embassy officials.
State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said the incident is "not completely surprising" coming from the Chavez government.
"They have sought various ways to harass U.S. government officials," McCormack said. "And our ambassador down there was subject to -- has been subject to periodic harassment, over time, so it's just another step in that direction."
The incident comes at a time of tension between Chavez's government and the White House. Venezuelan foreign minister Nicolás Maduro told the AP that Brownfield came to Venezuela in order to destabilize Chavez’s government and "assist in his downfall."
McCormack said the harassment of the State Department agents is unlikely to foster better communication between the two nations.
"This is not the kind of behavior one would expect from a country with which you have diplomatic relations," he said.
The American Embassy in Venezuela has communicated with Venezuelan officials about the incident, McCormack said, adding that the American agents have been able to remain in the country to protect the soccer team.
After losing to Argentina and Paraguay, the U.S. soccer team was eliminated from the Copa America on Independence Day. The team will play its last game, against also-eliminated Colombia, today.
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July 6, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (17)
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Brilliant!!
Posted by: bRidGe | Jul 6, 2007 1:12:19 PM
Why is anybody surprised? It will be a wonderful day when the people of Venezuela realize that they are living under a dictatorship and "do away with" their fearless leader.
Posted by: Larry | Jul 6, 2007 6:40:19 PM
Not surprising. Until the US lets up on its anti-Chavez campaigh, Chavez will quid-pro-whatever. Thanks for an event I haven't seen covered elsewhere.
Posted by: Larry Donald Latta | Jul 6, 2007 10:55:24 PM
there does seem to be a dramatic history of the american government meddling in latin american affairs.
any one care to smoke a cuban.
Posted by: alan | Jul 7, 2007 9:41:51 AM
Anyone who supports Chavez does it out of love of socialism, love of sado masochism, love of self-pity and self-loathing, or out of fear for their lifes if they actually live Venezuela.
Posted by: SlipSter01 | Jul 7, 2007 11:17:49 PM
How terribly ironic that the Venezuelan government is charged with support and sponsorship of Middle Eastern terrorism (including actually hosting terror cells within its borders)
Posted by: Snowy Plover | Jul 8, 2007 2:28:49 AM
What more proof do we need that Hugo is a jerk?
Posted by: Dave | Jul 8, 2007 11:39:58 AM
Whats funny is the FACT that the Venezuelan government made a agreement with Afganistan for their oil (Taliban govt.) so ironically we attacked them and of course there's oil in Iraq and you know the rest of the story ....
Posted by: richard g. root | Jul 8, 2007 4:13:39 PM
It raally irks me when I haar people (including celebraties, journalist and regular people where I work) defend Chavez, simply because they HATE Geourge W. Bush so Chavez somehow now qualifies for our addoration. Mark my word, once he nationalizes the oil industry donw there coupled with a possible decline in the price of oil will reduce the revenue he uses in the name of poor people of his country. In the end, "his people" will still be poor, only now they'll be totally dependent on the government. Mexico nationalited it's oil industry, and production continues to trail and what a great economy in Mexico, NOT!
Posted by: Karl | Jul 9, 2007 3:02:44 AM
Well isn't this amazing? The USA complaining about the treatment to their personel - just like the USA treat personnel from other nations. Remember the outcry from the Americans when the Brazilians instituted their policy of Reciprocity and fingerprinted all incoming US citizens, just like the USA does to Brazilians? It's always a one-way street with the USA - "we can do what we like to you, but don't dare do the same to us'. Well, I hope Venezuela and all other nations make your citizens feel just as uncomfortable as the USA makes their citizens feel. Hugo Chavez, the next step is to make the USA pay for every drop of oil from Venezuela in Euro - do not accept Yankee dollars for anything. Hopefully other OPEC nations will do the same and the hegemony of the US dollar will be finished, along with the American economy and the US military.
Posted by: Ziggy | Jul 9, 2007 3:11:10 AM
Chavez is so pathetic.
Posted by: Rick McDaniel | Jul 9, 2007 11:11:17 AM
Thank you,
Ziggy | Jul 9, 2007 3:11:10 AM
Hope Mr.Chaves Paid you well.
all the trips to Caracas
Paid off
Posted by: Eduardo | Jul 10, 2007 9:19:23 AM
It's funny- how all of you are critizing USA here-many of you live here! How about going on a one way trip to Cuba or to "Hugo's" Country? Let's see how they treat you when you makea coment that THEY don't like.
Posted by: the truth | Jul 10, 2007 3:05:57 PM
Why all the complaining?...as with Iran the U.S. is STILL pumping BOTH countrys coffers Full of oil dollars. And when that stops THEN I'd start to worry.
Posted by: billy | Jul 14, 2007 7:59:50 AM
Heard what "Soddom" counted on the hardcore "Republican Guard" to SAVE Him. Yet it has fallen to "The Base" to carry out His Will and Testament. Legalize hemp!
Posted by: GO! MORE! YEAH! U.S.A. | Jul 14, 2007 8:40:28 PM
Why is anybody surprised? It will be a wonderful day when the people of the United States realize that they are living under a dictatorship and "do away with" their fearless leader.
Posted by: NoOneYouKnow | Jul 17, 2007 4:39:13 PM
Good morning sir/ma,i'm glad to have the chance to write to u,about the boyz i have on ground,for football soccer,i can boast of them any where anytime and day,if u're interested in them kindly reply me back...............
Posted by: Tunde | Jul 18, 2007 8:24:13 PM
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