Venezuela cuts ties with Panama

(Vatican Radio) Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro, has severed diplomatic relations and frozen all trade links with Panama. He made the announcement during events commemorating the first anniversary of Hugo Chavez's death. The catalyst for the drastic reaction, was Panama urging a meeting of the Organization of American States- the OAS, to discuss the Venezuela crisis.
"There's a right wing government seeking to convene the Permanent Council of the OAS. It's a plan for the intervention of foreign forces in our country,” Maduro said. “I'm responding forcefully to any attempt at intervention. Our path is UNASUR- The Union of South Americans Nations."
Panama has responded in kind. A statement expressed amazement at the Venezuelan Government's stance, caustically adding: " The measure announced by President Maduro should not become a smokescreen to hide reality."

Listen to the report from correspondent James Blears: