Honduras accuses Washington of interfering in its affairs after US ambassador comments
Adds foreign minister comments in paragraphs 6-7, comment request in paragraph 8, and context in paragraph 9
TEGUCIGALPA, Aug 28 (Reuters) -Honduran President Xiomara Castro accused Washington of interferenceon Wednesday after the U.S. ambassador expressed concern about a meeting between Honduran and Venezuelan defense officials.
"The interference and interventionism of the United States, as well as its intention to direct the politics of Honduras through its embassy and other representatives, is intolerable," the leftist leader said in a post on social media.
U.S. Ambassador to Honduras Laura Dogu told local TV reporters that the U.S. was concerned after a meeting last week between Honduran Defense Minister Jose Manuel Zelayaand his Venezuelan counterpart, Vladimir Padrino.
Zelaya was joined by the country's head of the military joint chiefs of staff. Dogusaid she was "surprised" they met with "drug traffickers."
The United States indicted Padrino on drug trafficking charges in 2020.
"Insinuating or implicating us as drug traffickers and disqualifying our authorities is really a direct threat to our independence and sovereignty," Honduran Foreign Minister Enrique Reina said on social media.
The U.S. embassy in Honduras did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
Castro, a leftist former first lady, took office in 2022, ending the eight-year rule of Juan Orlando Hernandez, a one-time U.S. ally who was extradited to the U.S. after Castro took office and has since been convicted and sentenced in U.S. courts on drug trafficking charges.
Reporting by Orfa Mejia; Writing by Brendan O'Boyle; Editing by Kylie Madry and Cynthia Osterman
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