After Chavez Frias, president of Venezuela, called the conservative, pro-free trade president of Mexico a “puppy” for Washington and American interests, Fox withdrew the Mexican ambassador from Venezuela, stating that “Chavez’s statement strikes at the dignity of the American people and government.” In response, Chavez has similarly recalled ambassadors from the Mexican capital. Both nations are quick to state that despite the flap, economic and social relations between the nations continue unabated; the Economy Department released a statement after the incident containing trade information between the two petroleum producing countries.