Venezuela Protests 2014: Chancellor Elías Jaua Says Maduro Is 'Hurt' By Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos

Venezuela's chancellor, Elías Jaua, today revealed that the the government of Nicolas Maduro is sore with the Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos, and suggested that if someone wants to help Venezuela, they should start by condemning the violent groups. "We are in a manner of speaking hurt, we can say it that way, because the least we would expect is first and foremost some kind of respect for Venezuela's internal affairs," said Jaua in an interview on Telesur.

"If someone really wants to hel Venezuela right now to defend our peace, they have to start by condemning the groups that are generating the violence and not leave any doubt as to the actions of the Venezuelan government which has demonstrated its conduct in a democratic fashion over the last fifteen years," he said. The minister is referring to the protests ocurring in Venezuela which have turned increasingly violent over the last week, with a number of people injured or killed.

Jaua continued saying, "someone might be excessive, that's always a risk with any exercise by any police authority in any part of the world, but here there is a political demonstration of a democratic treatment of public order. We are hurt that a government such as that of Colombia would...support those that are exercising violence." Jaua's comments come not long after Madruo himself expressed his concern that Colombia was mistaken in regards to Venezuela's internal affairs.

"President Santo is coming to give me lessons about democracy when what I am trying to do is defend Venezuela, the right to peace of Venezuela and I'm going to defend it with all the strength of our country," said Maduro. Santos spoke out agianst the situation in Venezuela saying that he was concerned about the "happenings' in Vnezuela and called for "calm and the establishment of communication between different political forces in Venezuela to guarantee the stability of the country."

Santos se pronunció sobre la situación que vive Venezuela tras las protestas de estudiantes que se han repetido desde hace varios días después de una manifestación que acabó con enfrentamientos que dejaron tres muertos y decenas de heridos.