LatinNews Daily Report - 21 February 2014

DIPLOMACY | Panama and Venezuela recall ambassadors. On 20 February the Venezuelan and Panamanian governments led by Presidents Nicolás Maduro and Ricardo Martinelli respectively, recalled their ambassadors, Elena Salcedo and Pedro Pereira, for consultations. Maduro recalled Salcedo in protest at alleged “interference” by the Panamanian government which, along with Colombia and Chile, has urged a peaceful solution to the current violence in Venezuela. According to a Venezuelan foreign ministry press release: “We will not accept anyone giving us recommendations about how to tackle violent groups that are attacking peace and reject recommendations made by Panama’s foreign ministry to establish unconditional dialogue”. Bilateral relations have been tense due to a trade dispute triggered by the failure of Venezuelan companies to pay off debts (estimated at over US$700m) to suppliers in Panama’s Colón Free Trade Zone (FTZ).

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