Chavez calls Obama 'clown, embarrassment' for criticizing Venezuela's ties with Iran, Cuba

Caracas, Dec 21 (ANI): Venezuela President Hugo Chavez has called Barack Obama a "clown" and an "embarrassment" who has turned the United States into a "disaster" in response to his sharp criticisms of Venezuela's ties to Iran and Cuba

Chavez's comments came in the wake of Obama's written interview with the Caracas paper El Universal, where he questioned Venezuela's connections to those countries.

According to The Guardian, Chavez hit back strongly at Obama saying the president gave the interview only to "win votes" in the 2012 election.

"Obama decided to attack us. Now you want to win votes by attacking Venezuela. Don't be irresponsible. You are a clown, a clown. Leave us in peace ... Go after your votes by fulfilling that which you promised your people," Politico quoted Chavez, as saying.

"Focus on governing your country, which you've turned into a disaster," he added.

Chavez's comments were prompted by Obama's response to a question about what the US government thinks of Venezuela's ties with Iran and Cuba.

Obama replied that 'the ties between Venezuela's government and Iran and Cuba have not served the interests of Venezuela and its people.'

"We are concerned about the government's actions, which have restricted the universal rights of the Venezuelan people, threatened basic democratic values and failed to contribute to the security in the region," he added.

In reference to Iran, Obama wrote that 'Venezuela's people will soon have to decide what possible advantage there is in having relations with a country that violates fundamental human rights and is isolated from most of the world.' (ANI)