Chavez threatens 'extradition bid' over assassination call

Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez said his government could request the extradition of US religious broadcaster Pat Robertson for suggesting American agents should kill him.

Speaking to foreign delegations attending a meeting of the Organisation of American States, in Caracas, Chavez said Venezuela would “exercise legal action in the United States” against Robertson.

Robertson’s comments last week have increased already tense relations between Caracas and Washington. He called for Chavez’s assassination on his TV show The 700 Club, saying the US should “take him out” because the Venezuelan leader posed a danger to the region.

Robertson, founder of the Christian Coalition of America, later issued an apology.

“Calling for the assassination of a head of state is a terrorist act,” said Chavez, an outspoken critic of US president George Bush, who has forged strong relations with communist-led Cuba.

“We could even request his extradition.”

The Bush administration also swiftly distanced itself from Robertson’s comments. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack called the remarks “inappropriate”.

But Venezuela has demanded a stronger condemnation of Robertson’s remarks.

Earlier, the Rev Jesse Jackson backed Chavez, saying the call for his assassination was a criminal act.

The US civil rights leader, who is on a four-day visit to Venezuela, called Robertson’s statements “immoral” and “illegal”. He urged US authorities to take action, and said the US government must choose “diplomacy over any threats of sabotage or isolation or assassination”.