Reuters - Video

Edition: US | UK | IN | CN | JP

video Video

Bernanke steps into the spotlight
Bernanke steps into the spotlight - 02:13
The official royal wedding guest list revealed
The official royal wedding guest list revealed - 01:23
Shuttle astronauts arrive at Cape Canaveral
Shuttle astronauts arrive at Cape Canaveral - 01:18
Waiting for Bernanke
Waiting for Bernanke - 01:51
Hospital staff flee border fighting
Hospital staff flee border fighting - 01:10
Thousands at Sai Baba funeral
Thousands at Sai Baba funeral - 01:03
Al Qaeda releases hostage messages
Al Qaeda releases hostage messages - 01:43
Obama calls birth controversy \
Obama calls birth controversy "distracting" - 05:29
Three blasts hit Kirkuk
Three blasts hit Kirkuk - 01:25
Protests intensify in Yemen
Protests intensify in Yemen - 01:24
Border clashes displace thousands
Border clashes displace thousands - 01:50
S&P Credit Rating Warning Helpful - Lister
S&P Credit Rating Warning Helpful - Lister - 00:53

Chavez to close Miami consulate

Saturday, January 14, 2012 - 02:08

Jan. 14 - Venezuelan president delivers a marathon State of the Union address in Caracas and says the country's Miami consulate will be shut down. Sunita Rappai reports.

▲ Hide Transcript

▶ View Transcript

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez en route to deliver his annual State of the Union address. Warmly greeted by supporters, Chavez, who is recovering from recent cancer treatment, used the opportunity to take several swipes at long-term foe, the U.S. - including announcing the closure of Venezuela's Miami consulate. This comes days after one of Venezuela's diplomats was expelled from the U.S. after allegedly plotting against the state. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) CHAVEZ, SAYING: "The foreign minister, Nicolás (Maduro), has recommended to me to close the consulate. Well, ok, we will close it." But Chavez said Venezuela would not be expelling the U.S. consul in Venezuela as there was 'no reason to do so'. The typically outspoken Chavez also made a dig at some U.S. responses to the recent murder of an Iranian nuclear scientist - and blamed James Bond-style agents for the death. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) CHAVEZ, SAYING: "So this means it is like that secret agent of Her British Majesty's Service, the secret agent of those James Bond films, where he has a licence to kill, wherever he wants to, whoever he wants to, however he wants to. James Bond: that is the world that we want. That is a world of madness." The unashamedly populist president also used the opportunity to defy those who say he will not concede defeat if beaten in forthcoming elections. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) CHAVEZ, SAYING: "And you know what! Ladies and gentleman of the opposition, if any of you wins the elections, I will be the first to recognize it. I ask the same from you here." Venezuela will go to the polls for presidential elections on October 7. Sunita Rappai, Reuters

Press CTRL+C (Windows), CMD+C (Mac), or long-press the URL below on your mobile device to copy the code

Close

Chavez to close Miami consulate

Saturday, January 14, 2012 - 02:08