The Venezuelan government has responded firmly to the latest statements made by the Obama administration regarding President Hugo Chavez’s health and the current political situation in the country. Department of State spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said the US wants to see a “transition” in Venezuela, and insinuated that President Chavez should no longer govern. “The government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela rejects in the strongest terms the declarations made by United States State Department Spokesperson Victoria Nuland on February 19, 2013, which constitute a new and rude interference by the government in Washington in the internal affairs of Venezuela”. “The statements by this US government spokesperson are in perfect keeping with the destabilizing and corrupt discourse of the Venezuelan right wing”, read the declaration from Venezuela. “The speculations by the spokesperson regarding the situation of President Hugo Chavez and the institutions of Venezuela have generated deep indignation among the Venezuelan people”. “The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela upholds the rule of law and justice, and has solid institutions that, by the sovereign will of the Venezuelan people, are enshrined in the constitution of 1999. In the framework of the democratic revolution constructed by people’s power over the last 14 years, the only transition being proposed is the transition toward Bolivarian socialism under the leadership of the revolutionary government of Commander Hugo Chavez”, detailed the Venezuelan government communique. (Translated by Correo del Orinoco) Source: Ministry of Information and Communication (MINCI)