The Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Sunday called President Barack Obama “ignorant”. Chavez said that Obama has a long way to go in understanding about Latin America. The Venezuelan leader said he had been ready to name a new ambassador in Washington when Obama took office. That was put on hold after the new U.S. president accused him of “exporting terrorism” and being an obstacle to progress in the region.

“At least one could say, ‘poor ignorant person,’” Chavez said, adding that Obama “should read a little bit so that he learns about … the reality of Latin America.”

The U.S. National Security Council spokesman Mike Hammer declined to comment on this.