AMBASSADOR INFORMS SENIOR FOREIGN MINISTRY

S E C R E T SANTIAGO 002349 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/BSC, PM E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/16/2015 TAGS: MARR MASS PARM VE CI SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR INFORMS SENIOR FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIAL OF CHANGE IN U.S. ARMS TRANSFER POLICY TOWARDS VENEZUELA REF: STATE 207628 Classified By: Ambassador Craig Kelly. Reasons: 1.4 (b and d). ¶1. (S) The Ambassador met with Foreign Ministry Director General for External Affairs Carlos Portales on November 16 to deliver reftel points. The Ambassador noted the U.S. continued to be concerned about the destabilizing effect Venezuela's arms acquisitions could have on the region. As a result, the U.S. had changed its arms transfer policy for Venezuela and asked that the GOC adopt similar restrictions. ¶2. (S) Portales said Chilean policy did not explicitly prohibit the sale or transfer of lethal and non-lethal material to Venezuela. However, Portales noted he had not heard of any such transfers occurring during his four-plus years as the number three at the Foreign Ministry, adding "we simply do not sell such items to Venezuela." ¶3. (S) Post intends to deliver a similar message to senior Ministry of Defense officials at the earliest possible opportunity. KELLY