Chavez, who regularly accuses the U.S. government of plotting against him, said "the DEA was using the fight against drug trafficking as a mask, to support drug trafficking and to carry out intelligence in Venezuela against the government." Prosecutors opened an investigation into the DEA's activities in Venezuela in July.

He recognized that Venezuela is a transit point for Colombian cocaine but said Venezuela's own armed forces have made important advances against trafficking and would continue working with international organizations. Chavez sharply criticized U.S. policy on drugs, saying that its government does little to try to lessen consumption or to catch major drug kingpins in the United States.

Despite frequent harsh words between governments, Venezuela remains a major supplier of oil to the United States.

The Japan Times: Aug. 13, 2005
(C) All rights reserved