喬治・布什指責了委內瑞拉總統「稱讚恐怖分子」和揮霍他的國家的油財富給競選加油反對美國。

美國總統在一個Farc反叛基地批評了Hugo Chavez的反應到一次最近哥倫比亞的襲擊在拉丁美洲激發一次一周之間的外交危機的厄瓜多爾。

「委內瑞拉的總統稱讚了恐怖分子的頭目作為一好革命，并且命令他的隊伍對哥倫比亞的邊界」，布什說。

美國領導說移動是「最新的步在干擾的行為模式誘惑由政權在加拉加斯」。

Bush also reaffirmed his support for the Alavaro Uribe, the Colombian president, and warned that the region was facing a choice over its future.

“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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