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Chavez blames Bush for spat with Mexico

Greg Morsbach

U.S. accused of sowing discord in Latin America

Caracas: Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez has sought to deflect a growing dispute with Mexico by blaming the U.S. for sowing discord in Latin America.

Mr Chavez told thousands of supporters at a weekend rally in Caracas that the row was not with the Mexican people but their pro-U.S. President Vicente Fox. Venezuela and Mexico downgraded their diplomatic relations last week in a dispute over Mexico's support of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA).

Matters came to a head when Mr Chavez called his Mexican counterpart a ``lapdog of the American empire'' and later warned Mr Fox ``not to mess'' with him.

Mr Chavez entertained the crowd on Saturday by singing several Mexican ballads and then going on to explain how U.S. President George Bush was responsible for the bad feeling.

``The one to blame for all this lamentable conflict is none other than Mr Danger,'' he said in reference to the U.S. leader.

The crowd applauded when he launched a tirade against the FTAA proposals spearheaded by the U.S. ``The FTAA can go to hell!'' he shouted. ``We won't be colonised again.''

There has been no official reaction yet from the Mexican Government to Mr Chavez's outbursts. Washington accuses Mr Chavez of being a dictator and of wanting to set up ``a second Cuba'' in Venezuela.

Argentinean President Nestor Kirchner was expected in Caracas to offer his help in resolving the dispute between the Governments of Mexico and Venezuela. —

© Guardian Newspapers Limited 2004

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