Venezuela condemns Biden's statement

CARACAS - Venezuelan government Sunday condemned the statements of US Vice President Joe Biden, who described the situation in the South American country as "alarming" and said President Nicolas Maduro "invents conspiracies."

In a statement, the Venezuelan government said "the US government has joined the international media conspiracy that pretends to generate a false image of war and general repression in the Venezuelan territory."

The statement, which was read by Venezuelan Vice President Jorge Arreaza in Caracas, was a response to Biden's statements published in the Chilean press as he was in Santiago for a visit.

Venezuela's statement said "President Nicolas Maduro, in the name of the Venezuelan people and government, categorically rejected the statements made by the US Vice President Joe Biden, because they are disrespectful of the Venezuelan sovereignty."

The statement also reaffirmed that "the violent sectors promoted by the most radical wing of the Venezuelan right groups" are financially supported by the US government to damage democracy in the South American country.

Nevertheless, the statement added that President Maduro has shown "a clear will to resume and renew relations with the US government through a direct and transparent dialogue based in mutual respect, non-intervention in internal affairs and the necessary cooperation, for which it has appointed a new ambassador in the US."

Biden arrived on Sunday in Santiago to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Michelle Bachelet as the new Chilean president next Tuesday.