Venezuela's Chavez warns US over spy case
CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez warned on Friday he could jail U.S. Embassy officials caught spying after accusing them of links to Venezuelan officers suspected of espionage for the Pentagon.
The charges of U.S. spying are the latest test of relations between the United States and Chavez, a fierce critic of Washington who wants to bring socialist revolution to the world's fifth-largest oil exporter.
Chavez, a close ally of communist-run Cuba, calls U.S. President George W. Bush "Mr. Danger" and has often charged Washington with planning to overthrow him since he survived a 2002 coup he says was backed by the U.S. government.
"We have uncovered a case, another espionage case," Chavez told an audience at a World Social Forum event where he was joined by peace activists and Cuban National Assembly Speaker Ricardo Alarcon.
"I warn the U.S. government ... the next time we detect an officer or a civilian official, above all U.S. military officers, trying to get information from our armed forces, we're going to lock them up," he said.
Venezuelan authorities said on Friday authorities had "confidential evidence" that U.S. Embassy staff were involved with a group of Venezuelan military officers accused of passing state secrets to the U.S. Defense Department.
A U.S. Embassy spokesman said on Friday, "We still have received no official contact from the Venezuelan government on that matter. We are in the dark as to what the details of the charges are."
U.S. officials say Chavez's allegations of plots are populist rhetoric meant to shore up his support among poor voters. His critics at home and in Washington portray him as an increasing threat to democracy in Venezuela and overseas.
Earlier this week, Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel said several low-ranking officers had been discovered handing secrets to the United States. A top army commander on Thursday said the U.S. Embassy was linked to the case.
Officials have not said how many officers were involved or confirmed that anyone has been detained. Military authorities have said an investigation was under way, but a navy spokesman said he could not comment on the probe.
Alonso Medina, an attorney for one man detained in the investigation, said his client, Jacinto Nouel, was a retired firefighter and dentist held on charges of spying and threatening the security of the military.
The lawyer said the prosecutors accused Nouel of ties to the U.S. Embassy after he received documents from his son-in-law -- a retired Venezuela naval officer -- living in Miami. Medina said the documents were a CD-ROM with public information about Spanish aircraft.
Venezuela clashed recently with the United States over its purchase of Spanish transport and maritime surveillance aircraft as it modernizes its armed forces through agreements with Russia, Brazil and Spain.
U.S. officials blocked the sale of the Spanish aircraft. Washington can veto transfer of U.S. parts to third parties and says it is worried Venezuela's military buildup may destabilize the region.
The charges of U.S. spying are the latest test of relations between the United States and Chavez, a fierce critic of Washington who wants to bring socialist revolution to the world's fifth-largest oil exporter.
Chavez, a close ally of communist-run Cuba, calls U.S. President George W. Bush "Mr. Danger" and has often charged Washington with planning to overthrow him since he survived a 2002 coup he says was backed by the U.S. government.
"We have uncovered a case, another espionage case," Chavez told an audience at a World Social Forum event where he was joined by peace activists and Cuban National Assembly Speaker Ricardo Alarcon.
"I warn the U.S. government ... the next time we detect an officer or a civilian official, above all U.S. military officers, trying to get information from our armed forces, we're going to lock them up," he said.
Venezuelan authorities said on Friday authorities had "confidential evidence" that U.S. Embassy staff were involved with a group of Venezuelan military officers accused of passing state secrets to the U.S. Defense Department.
A U.S. Embassy spokesman said on Friday, "We still have received no official contact from the Venezuelan government on that matter. We are in the dark as to what the details of the charges are."
U.S. officials say Chavez's allegations of plots are populist rhetoric meant to shore up his support among poor voters. His critics at home and in Washington portray him as an increasing threat to democracy in Venezuela and overseas.
Earlier this week, Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel said several low-ranking officers had been discovered handing secrets to the United States. A top army commander on Thursday said the U.S. Embassy was linked to the case.
Officials have not said how many officers were involved or confirmed that anyone has been detained. Military authorities have said an investigation was under way, but a navy spokesman said he could not comment on the probe.
Alonso Medina, an attorney for one man detained in the investigation, said his client, Jacinto Nouel, was a retired firefighter and dentist held on charges of spying and threatening the security of the military.
The lawyer said the prosecutors accused Nouel of ties to the U.S. Embassy after he received documents from his son-in-law -- a retired Venezuela naval officer -- living in Miami. Medina said the documents were a CD-ROM with public information about Spanish aircraft.
Venezuela clashed recently with the United States over its purchase of Spanish transport and maritime surveillance aircraft as it modernizes its armed forces through agreements with Russia, Brazil and Spain.
U.S. officials blocked the sale of the Spanish aircraft. Washington can veto transfer of U.S. parts to third parties and says it is worried Venezuela's military buildup may destabilize the region.
posted by Marko at 1/28/2006 09:31:00 AM
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