George Bush ha acusado a presidente venezolano de “elogiar a terroristas” y de malgastar la abundancia del aceite de su país para aprovisionar de combustible una campaña contra los E.E.U.U.

El presidente de los E.E.U.U. criticó la reacción de Hugo Chavez a una incursión colombiana reciente en una base rebelde de Farc en Ecuador que chispeó una crisis diplomática semana-larga en América latina.

“El presidente de Venezuela elogió a líder del terrorista como buen revolucionario y ordenado sus tropas a la frontera colombiana,” Bush dijo.

El líder de los E.E.U.U. dijo que el movimiento era “el paso más último de un patrón que disturbaba del comportamiento provocativo por el régimen en Caracas”.

Bush también reafirmó su ayuda para el Alavaro Uribe, el presidente colombiano, y advirtió que la región hacía frente a una opción sobre su futuro.

“The region is facing an increasingly stark choice: to quietly accept the vision of the terrorists and the demagogues, or to actively support democratic leaders like President Uribe.

“I’ve made my choice. I’m standing with courageous leadership that believes in freedom and peace.”

‘Empty promises’

Bush’s sharp criticism of Chavez came as the White House tried to portray the passage of a US-Colombia free trade agreement as critical to stem Chavez’s influence across Latin America.

Wednesday’s speech was made at the US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

“As it tries to expand its influence in Latin America, the regime claims to promote social justice.

“In truth its agenda amounts to little more than empty promises and a thirst for power,” Bush said.

“It has squandered its oil wealth in an effort to promote its hostile anti-American vision; it has left its own citizens to face food shortages while it threatens its neighbours,” he added.

Colombian apology

Bush spoke just days after Latin American leaders agreed an end to a week-long crisis sparked by the cross-border raid inside Ecuador that killed a Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) commander.

Ecuador also sent troops to the Colombian border and cut diplomatic ties with Bogota over the incident.

Colombia apologised and promised never to carry out such a raid again.

The recent crisis reflected a sharp political divide in South America, where Uribe, who has strong US backing, is opposed by Chavez and his allies who fiercely reject what they call US “imperialism”.

Chavez, who has called for a socialist revolution in Latin America to counter US influence, regularly criticises Bush and once called him the “devil” in a speech to the UN General Assembly.

Agencies

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