Panama removes OAS ambassador upon remarks on Venezuela

Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli rejected the ambassador's stance and apologized to Venezuela for such actions

The Panamanian president and the foreign minister signed Cochez's dismissal (File photo)

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EL UNIVERSAL

Friday January 18, 2013 11:30 AM

Panamanian Ambassador to the Organization of American States (OAS) Guillermo Cochez said that the Panamanian Government has removed him from office upon his criticisms Wednesday at a meeting of the OAS's Permanent Council concerning the silence of the organization with respect to the political situation of Venezuela.

Cochez said that his removal came after in a decree signed by Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli and Foreign Minister Rómulo Roux, AFP informed.

"Mr. President has all the right to remove me from office," yet "I certainly do not regret what I said yesterday (Wednesday)," Cochez told Panamanian TV channel Telemetro.

Moments before, Martinelli rebutted Cochez's stance and offered apologized to Venezuela for such actions.

Translated by Jhean Cabrera

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