Chavez: CIA Tried to Kill Me

Hugo Chavez today alleged that US intelligence agencies were behind a purported assassination plot that prevented him from visiting El Salvador. The Venezuelan president had planned to attend the inauguration of President Mauricio Funes in the Central American nation yesterday, but canceled his trip because of the alleged plot. "I don't doubt that the intelligence organizations of the United States are behind this," Chavez said.

He accused the US of plotting with Cuban militant Luis Posada Carriles to murder him. He said Venezuelan intelligence services had "very precise information" about a plan to launch rockets at his plane. Chavez has repeatedly accused the US of plotting to overthrow him or to invade Venezuela, without offering proof. The US State Department has always denied such accusations. (More Hugo Chavez stories.)