Does Venezuela Sponsor Terrorism?

The president of Venezuela - Hugo Chavez said on Friday that USA planned to brand Venezuela a sponsor of terrorism as he used the World Social Forum to vent against US imperialism and the Iraq war. Chavez, a close ally of US foe Cuba, gave no evidence to back up his claim and has often charged US President George Bush with planning to overthrow or assassinate him since he survived a 2002 coup. Washington has repeatedly denied the allegations. The socialist leader has become one of Bush`s fiercest critics after putting his self-styled revolution at the heart of regional opposition to Washington`s free-market proposals for South America.

"The imperialism we face now is the most perverse, murdering, genocidal and immoral," Chavez told packed crowds at an "anti-imperialism" event. "The latest detail we have is this year they want to include Venezuela on the list of countries supporting terrorism." State Department spokesman Kurtis Cooper said he was unaware of the remarks and unable to comment on them. But US officials say the former soldier is anti-democratic and a destabilizing force. His critics say he allows Colombia`s FARC rebels to shelter on Venezuelan territory and backs subversive groups, charges he denies. North Korea and Cuba are among the countries the US State Department has designated as state sponsors of terrorism.