WASHINGTON, May 19: Recent actions by the United States against Venezuela appear to be part of a recurring pattern that in previous cases involving other countries has led to a military invasion, Venezuelan Ambassador Bernardo Alvarez said on Thursday.

Mr Alvarez expressed disappointment that there has been no follow-up to what he said had been a promising initial diplomatic exchange with Assistant Secretary of State Thomas Shannon in March. Mr Shannon heads the State Department’s Latin America bureau.

The only US response, Mr Alvarez told a news conference, was a House resolution criticising Venezuela’s counterdrug record and this week’s US suspension of arms.—AP