Venezuelan Vice-President José Vicente Rangel replied to the remarks of Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo. The ruler had criticized meddling of his Venezuelan counterpart in Peruvian internal affairs and called him a destabilizing factor in the hemisphere.

In a press release from the Vice-President's Office, Rangel reckoned that Toledo's remarks are veiled by his failed administration, whereas President Chávez plays a major role in hemispheric stability.

"The Peruvian government has a newborn's skin. It is extremely sensitive in reference to Venezuela. If only they had this same sensitivity when dealing with other nations and under other circumstances."

The Vice-President ruled out any attempt by the Venezuelan government to influence on the Peruvian elections. "This is completely false. If he said so due to the recent visit of candidate for president Ollanta Humala, that matter was duly clarified and the Peruvian administration itself admitted it."

"If he said so due to the reference made by President Chávez to candidate for president Lourdes Flores, undoubtedly, she is a speaker of powerful oligarchic groups. In addition, every time she visits Venezuela, she focuses insolently on lashing out at the Venezuelan president."