Venezuela's Chavez blames Bush for Bolivia crisis
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-06-13 09:11

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez blamed US President Bush on Sunday for Bolivia's crisis and said Bush's "poisoned medicine" of free-market democracy was being rejected by Latin America.

The left-wing Venezuelan leader said the protests that shook the Andean nation this week were triggered by popular opposition to capitalist free-trade policies advocated by Bush.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez gestures during his broadcast 'Alo Presidente' in Monagas state, 500km (300 miles) from Caracas, June 12, 2005. President Chavez blamed U.S. President George W. Bush on Sunday for Bolivia's crisis and said Bush's 'poisoned medicine' of free-market democracy was being rejected by Latin America. [Reuters]

Chavez condemned as "poisoned medicine" a speech given by Bush to the Organization of American States last week in which he recommended a mix of representative democracy, integration of world markets and individual freedoms.

"That is what is killing the peoples of Latin America. ... This is the path of destabilization, of violence, of war between brothers," Chavez said, speaking on his "Hello President" weekly television and radio show.

The Venezuelan leader is a fierce critic of U.S. policies although his country, the world's No. 5 oil exporter, sells billions of dollars worth of oil to the United States each year.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez looks through a microscope during his broadcast 'Alo Presidente' in Monagas state, 500km (300 miles) from Caracas, June 12, 2005. [Reuters]

Chavez rejected charges by some U.S. officials that he and Cuban President Fidel Castro were directing the Bolivian miners, rural peasants and labor groups who are demanding the nationalization of their country's rich gas resources.

"What's the cause? Is Fidel? Is it Chavez? No, Bush is the cause ... and what he represents," he said.

Addressing Bush in broken English and calling him "Mr. Danger," he added, "We, the people of Latin America are saying 'No Sir, Mr. Danger,' your poisoned medicine has failed."

Chavez welcomed signs the Bolivia protests were easing following the inauguration as president on Thursday of Eduardo Rodriguez. He replaced Carlos Mesa who resigned.

Chavez, a firebrand nationalist first elected in 1998, says free-market economic policies have increased not reduced poverty in Latin America. He proposes as an alternative his self-styled "revolution" in Venezuela, which channels oil income into health, education and job training for the poor.

He spoke while inaugurating one of 600 new medical treatment centers which his government was opening with help from Cuba.

During his program lasting more than seven hours, Chavez received a phone call from Castro, which was broadcast live.

The two leaders mocked U.S. accusations that they had created an anti-U.S. alliance to destabilize Latin America and that it was being financed by Venezuela's oil income.

"You're the malevolent genius and I'm the rich financier of revolutions, what do you think?" Chavez told Castro.

"Well, it's marvelous," the Cuban leader replied.

Venezuela ships up to 90,000 barrels per day of oil to Cuba and more than 20,000 Cuban doctors, dentists, teachers and technicians, including sugar experts, are working in the South American oil exporter under a broad cooperation program.

The United States has criticized Chavez's close alliance with Castro, a longtime foe of Washington, and says it fears his rule in Venezuela is becoming increasingly authoritarian.

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