Chavez insists on assassination plot claim

President Hugo Chavez reprimanded sceptics for questioning his warnings that Washington is out to kill him – an accusation that Venezuela’s opposition dismisses as a ploy to distract attention from domestic problems such as rampant violent crime and corruption.

Venezuelans are sharply divided between those who believe that radicals backed by the United States are plotting to assassinate their socialist leader, as the government claims, and critics who seriously doubt the accusations.

“Those who talk about it try to ridicule the allegation. For Venezuela’s opposition, it’s a lie,” Mr Chavez said. “Some say it’s a farce.”

“They don’t care about my death,” Mr Chavez added, suggesting some government adversaries would like to see him assassinated.

Mr Chavez ordered the US ambassador to leave Venezuela last week – both to underscore his accusation that the envoy was aiding a purported coup plot by dissident military officers, and to show support for embattled Bolivian President Evo Morales, who expelled the US envoy in that country after accusing him of egging on opposition protesters.

The US ambassadors in both countries have denied the allegations.

Mr Chavez also recalled Venezuela’s ambassador in Washington, saying diplomatic relations will not return to normal until President George Bush leaves the White House next January.