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Colombian vice-president rejects Brazil job because 'dog would not adapt' | Colombian vice-president rejects Brazil job because 'dog would not adapt' |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Colombian Vice-President Angelino Garzon has turned down the post of ambassador to Brazil, saying that his German Shepherd dog would not adapt to the hot weather. | Colombian Vice-President Angelino Garzon has turned down the post of ambassador to Brazil, saying that his German Shepherd dog would not adapt to the hot weather. |
In an interview with Colombian magazine Semana, Mr Garzon said the climate of Brasilia might harm the dog's health. | In an interview with Colombian magazine Semana, Mr Garzon said the climate of Brasilia might harm the dog's health. |
Colombian Foreign Minister Maria Angela Holguin has issued an apology to Brazil, a major trading partner. | Colombian Foreign Minister Maria Angela Holguin has issued an apology to Brazil, a major trading partner. |
She described the incident as "very embarrassing". | She described the incident as "very embarrassing". |
Mr Garzon had written a letter to the Colombian president explaining that he had rejected the job for personal and family reasons, but failed to mention the dog. | Mr Garzon had written a letter to the Colombian president explaining that he had rejected the job for personal and family reasons, but failed to mention the dog. |
Ms Holguin said she was saddened and disappointed. | Ms Holguin said she was saddened and disappointed. |
"When he mentioned personal problems, you would expect something deeper than that. It is as though he doesn't realise the importance Brazil has," she said. | |
Ms Holguin said his "excuses" had only damaged Colombia's image in Latin America and its role as one of Brazil's main commercial partners. | Ms Holguin said his "excuses" had only damaged Colombia's image in Latin America and its role as one of Brazil's main commercial partners. |
'Hairy dog' | 'Hairy dog' |
Earlier this year, Mr Garzon, 67, announced that he would not run for re-election alongside President Juan Manuel Santos on 25 May. | Earlier this year, Mr Garzon, 67, announced that he would not run for re-election alongside President Juan Manuel Santos on 25 May. |
In the interview with Semana, he said he would consider running for mayor of the capital, Bogota, or Cali. | In the interview with Semana, he said he would consider running for mayor of the capital, Bogota, or Cali. |
"In local government, you can have a bigger impact in improving people's lives than as vice-president," he said. | "In local government, you can have a bigger impact in improving people's lives than as vice-president," he said. |
Reporter Maria Jimena Duzan then argued that his reasons for not accepting the job of ambassador to Brazil did not seem entirely convincing. | Reporter Maria Jimena Duzan then argued that his reasons for not accepting the job of ambassador to Brazil did not seem entirely convincing. |
"I have turned down the ambassador job because the dog you see on that picture is very hairy and the hot climate of Brasilia could harm its health," replied Mr Garzon. | "I have turned down the ambassador job because the dog you see on that picture is very hairy and the hot climate of Brasilia could harm its health," replied Mr Garzon. |
He later defended his decision and added: "The dog is not government property. Wherever Angelino [Garzon] goes, it goes." | He later defended his decision and added: "The dog is not government property. Wherever Angelino [Garzon] goes, it goes." |
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