Chavez eyes talks with Santos

Chavez decries US envoy

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Sunday rejected newly nominated US ambassador Larry Palmer for the latter's criticism on Chavez's government.

"How can you think I'd accept this gentleman coming here? You'd best withdraw him, Obama. Don't insist. I'm asking you," Chavez said in his weekly "Hello, president" radio and TV show.

"The best thing the US government can do is to look for another candidate" for ambassador to Venezuela, he added.

In written answers to a US lawmaker's questions - as his nomination as ambassador must be confirmed by the Senate - Palmer said there were "clear ties" between leftist Colombian guerrillas and Chavez's government.

Venezuela's foreign ministry Thursday protested Palmer's statements as "interference and interventionism" and asked the US for an explanation before he was confirmed in his post.

The US government has said it shares Palmer's concerns about Venezuela, but denied it was interfering in Venezuela's internal affairs.

Agencies