Madrid, Apr 23 (EFE).– Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo said here Thursday that Spain has no intention of breaking off diplomatic relations with Venezuela, adding that he hopes for “democratic stability and economic prosperity” in the Latin American country.

Garcia-Margallo made these remarks in his speech at the Leaders Forum, organized by EFE and KPMG, where he introduced Brazilian Vice President Michel Temer.

“We do not intend to continue this escalation, and it is not our purpose to break relations with Venezuela,” the Spanish foreign minister said after Madrid on Wednesday summoned the Spanish ambassador to Caracas for consultations.

Spain’s government took this action in protest against the “verbal escalation, slanders and threats” issued by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro against Spain and its institutions and out of respect for “national dignity.”

Garcia-Margallo stressed that Spain’s government had exercised “extreme prudence” in this matter but eventually was forced to respond.

Political tensions between the two countries increased over the past week after Maduro accused Spain’s government of “supporting terrorism” in Venezuela and of being part of an “international conspiracy” to overthrow his administration. EFE