Venezuela: US Aggressiveness and Diplomacy

While presenting his credentials, US ambassador to Venezuela Patrick Duddy expressed interest in trying to improve relations, currently worsened by Washington hostility towards President Hugo Chavez.

At the end of a ceremony to make his mission official on Saturday, Duddy, a former official of the Latin American Chapter of the US State Department, said he will try "to strengthen a relation I think our two countries consider very important." Diplomatic sources consulted by Prensa Latina have ruled out an obvious improvement of links during the current US administration. However, they think Duddy might contribute to ease tensions somewhat, if he decreases the aggressive rhetoric of his predecessor William Brownfield, who triggered very serious situations through provocative actions and interference in Venezuela"s internal affairs.