Bernardo Álvarez Herrera (born Carora, Lara State, 18 August 1956) Venezuela's ambassador to the United States, since 2003 (with an interruption from mid-2008 to mid-2009, when Venezuela withdrew its ambassador). Álvarez has been (since 1982) a Professor at Universidad Central de Venezuela's School of Political and Administrative Studies.[1] Previous positions include Deputy Minister of Hydrocarbons (2000–03) and Director-General of Hydrocarbons (1999–2000) at the Ministry of Energy and Mines.[2] From 1994 to 1999 he was a member of the Venezuelan Chamber of Deputies.[1]
In September 2008, Herrera was withdrawn from the US after Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez accused his American counterpart of conspiring to overthrow his regime and ordered him to leave the country.[3] He was restored to his post after the Venezuelan and US governments agreed to re-establish diplomatic relations.
In December 2010, the US government revocked Alvarez's visa in response to Hugo Chavez's refusal to accept President Obama's nomination of Larry Palmer.
Álvarez has a degree in political science from the Universidad Central de Venezuela and a master’s degree in development studies from the University of Sussex.[2]
| Diplomatic posts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Luis Herrera Marcano (Chargé d'affaires) |
Venezuelan Ambassador to the United States of America 2003– |
Succeeded by |