Chavez Says U.S., Colombia Plotting To Kill Him

Chavez says U.S., Colombia plotting to kill him

http://www.reuters.com/article/world...54619420080116

(Gold9472: Again?)

Wed Jan 16, 2008 6:32pm EST

MANAGUA (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez escalated the bitter war of words between Caracas and Bogota on Wednesday by accusing Colombia and the United States of plotting to kill him.

"In Bogota, there are American officials and Colombian military officials conspiring against Venezuela, conspiring to kill me, conspiring to start an armed conflict between Colombia and Venezuela," Chavez said during a visit to Nicaragua.

Chavez has repeatedly accused his arch-enemy Washington of plotting to assassinate him, an accusation it denies. The Venezuelan leader said that U.S. ally Colombia had now joined the plot.

Leftist Chavez, who brokered the release of two women hostages last week held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, has bickered for months with Colombia's conservative President Alvaro Uribe over Chavez's role in mediating a swap of hostages for jailed guerrillas.

Chavez was showered with praise after the hostages were freed, but even allies like Ecuador balked at his call to drop the terrorist label. The rebel groups use child soldiers and are accused of setting off bombs in civilian areas.

Chavez is an outspoken critic of the United States. He accuses Washington of obstructing peace in Colombia.