CARACAS, (Reuters) – Venezuela has complained to the  United States about comments made by the newly nominated U.S.  ambassador to Caracas, accusing him of meddling before he had  even set foot in the South American nation.

Larry Palmer told a U.S. Senator last week that morale was  low in Venezuela’s military and that there were “clear ties”  between members of President Hugo Chavez’s socialist government  and leftist Colombian guerrillas operating in Venezuela.

“The government … considers the content of these  statements to constitute a serious precedent of meddling and  interventionism by someone who has yet to set foot on  Venezuelan territory,” Venezuela’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs  said in a statement late on Wednesday.

“The government is evaluating the consequences of this  unacceptable declaration, which it strongly rejects in its  entirety, and has asked for an explanation from the U.S.  government before making a final decision on the matter.”

Palmer’s comments came at a sensitive moment after Colombia  accused Venezuela of tolerating leftist Colombian rebels on its  territory — a charge that Caracas denies..

Chavez broke off diplomatic ties with Colombia over the  accusations and said he had bolstered military defenses on the  border, alleging the neighbouring country planned to attack.

In written replies to questions from Senator Dick Lugar of  Indiana, Palmer said he was “keenly aware of the clear ties”  between members of the Chavez government and Colombian rebels.

“The Venezuelan government has been unwilling to prevent  Colombian guerrillas from entering and establishing camps in  Venezuelan territory,” Palmer said. The diplomat said it was “particularly concerning” that  Gen. Henry Rangel Silva had recently been promoted to  operational chief of the armed forces.

Silva is one of two Chavez officials and an ex-minister  that the United States in 2008 put on its “kingpin” list,  accusing them of materially assisting the drug trafficking  activities of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.

Asked about Venezuela’s armed forces, Palmer said their  professionalism had decreased because of the retirement of many  officers, and due to a move by Chavez letting non-commissioned  officers transition directly to the commissioned corps.

“Most significantly, there has been a noted preference for  political loyalty over professional talent,” Palmer wrote.  “Morale is reported to be considerably low, particularly due to  politically-oriented appointments.”

Palmer added that he was concerned that Cuba’s influence  within the Venezuelan military would grow.

Chavez is a close ally of Cuba’s Fidel Castro, and  thousands of Cubans work in Venezuela as doctors, nurses,  teachers and technicians. Palmer said there were credible  reports of growing cooperation between Caracas and Havana in  military matters and intelligence services.

Chavez does not deny that Cubans advise the military.

Venezuela’s military top brass appeared on television on  Thursday to reject Palmer’s comments about the armed forces,  emphasizing high morale and saying promotions were  merit-based. Defense Minister Carlos Mata, dressed in a khaki green  uniform, also defended Venezuela’s military ties with Cuba. “Only a twisted, perverse mind could confuse collaboration  between two brother nations, as in the case of Cuba, with  intervention,” Mata said.