Mercosur Tuesday, 08 March
Former US ambassador warned about plot to kill Chavez
Venezuelan Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel revealed in an interview published Sunday in a Peruvian newspaper that former U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela Charles Shapiro warned him of a possible plot to kill President Hugo Chavez.
"Former (U.S.) Ambassador Charles Shapiro told me that he had information about a possible attempt against President Chavez," Rangel told Peruvian daily El Comercio. However according to Mr. Rangel, the former U.S. ambassador "did not provide more details" about the possible attack but pointed out that "having such information, for legal reasons the United States was forced to tell us".
"But you know that's why he was later recalled" by President George W. Bush's administration, Rangel added.
Last February 21, during his weekly radio and television show, President Chavez said that he was convinced the U.S. government was planning to kill him.
"I'm sure that in Washington they are planning my death ... and that's not going to stay that way Mr. Bush" Chavez said. The Venezuelan president has since reiterated the claim on several occasions both at home and overseas, the latest in Montevideo and New Delhi.
U.S. State Department called Mr. Chavez's statements "ridiculous and false".
(snip/...)
http://www.falkland-malvinas.com/Detalle.asp?NUM=5213