Cochez is not sorry about his remarks at OAS

Panamanian Ambassador to the Organization of American States (OAS) Guillermo Cochez claimed to be "very happy" with the harsh words uttered against Venezuela and OAS Secretary General José María Insulza, no matter his government disapproval.

"I just can say that I am very satisfied with my conscience for what I did and I do not regret a thing," Cochez told Efe on Thursday in a telephone conversation.

"Like it or not, the matter is already inside the OAS; that was like a cluster bomb," he added.

Cochez did not say whether he ponders on his resignation, as requested by some Panamanian politicians, but said again that he intended to call Insulza's attention. "My criticism of the Secretary-General has been made by many other sectors as well," he stressed.

The diplomat's remarks unleashed a showdown with Venezuelan Ambassador to the OAS Roy Chaderton and were further rebutted by the Panamanian Foreign Office in a communiqué for considering them "made without consultation."

Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli termed on Thursday Cochez's criticism as "an opinion of his own."