Venezuela says Germany's Merkel doesn't speak for Europe

The Associated Press
Published: May 13, 2008

CARACAS, Venezuela: The Venezuelan government is condemning what it calls a verbal attack by German Chancellor Angela Merkel against President Hugo Chavez.

Venezuela says Merkel's recent remark that Chavez does not speak for Latin America will hurt relations and puts in doubt German offers of friendship to the region.

The Venezuelan government now says in a statement that the German leader "isn't the only voice of the European Union."

The verbal spat arose just days before Chavez and Merkel are to join leaders from across Latin America and Europe for a summit in Peru.

The Venezuelan government's statement Tuesday came after Chavez accused Merkel of being part of what he called "the same right wing that supported Hitler and fascism."

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