Caracas - President Hugo Chavez said Venezuela has caught four people spying
for the American government, but a US embassy spokesman said Saturday that he
had "no idea what the president is talking about."
In this image released by Miraflores Press,
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez leads his security guards and government
workers during his visit to a livestock support center in Venezuela's
Tachira state, August 18, 2006. [AP Photo] |
Without offering specifics, Chavez said that one woman was caught not long
ago while taking photos in the north-central city of Valencia.
"I've caught four of their spies, four, and I've put them back in their
hands," Chavez told a campaign rally in western Venezuela Friday night.
US Embassy spokesman Brian Penn said Saturday that more than a year ago, a
clerical official working in a military office at the embassy had her purse
stolen in Valencia and that inside it was a disposable camera.
The woman, who was on a temporary assignment in Venezuela and eventually
moved on to other duties, was never detained or formally accused of spying, Penn
said.
Chavez predicted that the United States could try to discredit the
results of Venezuela's Dec. 3 presidential election, in which Chavez is seeking
another six-year term.
US officials have denied trying to overthrow Chavez, who is Cuban President
Fidel Castro's close ally and friend. US President Bush's government has
repeatedly labeled Chavez "a threat to democracy".
Chavez warned that Venezuelans should be prepared for a "war of resistance"
in case US troops one day invade, a possibility Washington calls preposterous.
US National Intelligence Director John Negroponte announced Friday he was
creating a "mission manager" for Cuba and Venezuela to oversee the American spy
community's efforts to collect and analyze intelligence on the two countries.
"In a way, it's an honor that they put us alongside revolutionary Cuba" in
naming an espionage point man for both countries, Chavez said.
"How are you, Fidel?" he added, saying he believed the ailing Cuban leader
was watching the televised speech. "Long live Fidel!"
