Venezuela summoned the ambassador of Iran, a longtime ally, on Tuesday to face protest over comments that were deemed "contemptuous and inappropriate," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
"The ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Venezuela was summoned to the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry in order to be given a note of protest over the contemptuous and inappropriate remarks made against Venezuela's institutions and authorities," the statement shared via social media said.
Asked by AFP, Venezuelan authorities did not specify what remarks they referred to, but video circulating online indicates Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had recently said Iran is "not Venezuela" when it comes to negotiations with the United States.
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A chill between Caracas and Tehran could mark a turning point for two oil-rich countries that have been loyal allies and commercial partners since President Hugo Chavez's rise in 1999.
