Martinelli: Panama does not endorse ambassador's view about Venezuela

President of Panama Ricardo Martinelli on Thursday described as "personal opinions" the criticism of the Venezuelan political state of affairs voiced by Panamanian Ambassador Guillermo Cochez to the Organization of American States (OAS) on Wednesday. Martinelli added that his country "does not share" Cochez's views.

"We do not endorse the opinion of Ambassador Cochez; neither does the Panamanian State. That was his personal view," Martinelli told reporters, EFE cited.

"Panama reaffirms its stance of respect for the domestic political processes of States. In the case of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, we hope for the prompt recovery of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez," read a Panamanian official communiqué issued on Thursday.  

For his part, Ambassador Cochez told a Panamanian radio station that he just criticized the OAS Secretary-General José Miguel Insulza's decision to uphold the situation facing Venezuela.

On Thursday, Venezuelan newly appointed Foreign Minister Elías Jaua revealed told a Colombian radio network that he spoke with the Panamanian president, who apologized for the opinion voiced by his ambassador to the OAS.