The next US government should implement a respectful policy towards Venezuela, said Venezuelan Minister of Foreign Affairs Nicolás Maduro.

"The United States and its people, sooner than later, will have to undertake a policy of respect, of respectful relationship with the new Latin America, with the new, emerging country (Venezuela) and the new, emerging leadership," he said.

Maduro lamented that so far, such a relation has not been built with the US government and put the blame for it on US President George W. Bush.

"We bet on strengthening our hemisphere; always willing to advance a respectful dialogue with the people who rule the United States of America. Such a thing has not been possible with the dire, warlike and failed administration of George W. Bush, who is bidding farewell and has damaged so much the planet and our hemisphere," added the minister.