‘Kill Chavez’ call set to bolster president’s popularity

US EVANGELIST Pat Robertson may have apologised, but his call for the US to assassinate Hugo Chavez is playing into the Venezuelan leader’s political hands, bolstering his claim that Washington wants to kill him, putting him in the international limelight and probably boosting his popularity at home.

Chavez supporters said the suggestion by the religious broadcaster that the United States should “take him out” gave credence to the Venezuelan president’s warnings that the US government is searching for ways to overthrow his leftist regime.

“If anyone had a doubt, now they no longer do,” said Maritza Uzcategui, a 50-year-old nurse and Chavez supporter.