Venezuela calls back top diplomat in WashingtonMarch 10, 2016 - 10:58 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Venezuela's top diplomat in Washington was called back to Caracas on Wednesday, March 9, after U.S. President Barack Obama renewed a decree imposing sanctions on several top Venezuelan officials. Maximilien Arvelaiz acted as Venezuela's charge d'affaires in Washington and had been waiting for months to be allowed to act as ambassador to the United States. The two countries have not shared ambassadorial ties since 2010. The United States imposed the sanctions and declared Venezuela a national security threat 12 months ago. "Enough of the arrogance, prepotency and intrigue," said President Nicolas Maduro on state television. Maduro has accused the United States of plotting to overthrow his government. Venezuela has had a tumultuous and often acrimonious relationship with the United States since Chavez became president in 1999. "Sometimes I feel I'm in a plane and every five minutes I need to put my seatbelt on because of the turbulence," Arvelaiz said in an interview in December. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. Ruling MPs, Foreign Minister talk Armenia-Azerbaijan processes MOs from the ruling Civil Contract party met with the Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in the Armenian parliament. Russia: Armenia’s frozen membership weakens CSTO position in Caucasus A Russian envoy said any step that could alienate the CSTO member states from each other is “deeply wrong”. |