CARACAS, Venezuela - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said on Sunday the United States was planning to assassinate him, but offered no evidence to support his accusation.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez threatened to suspend oil exports to the United States if someone tries to assassinate him, adding that US President George W. Bush would be to blame. (AFP/Presidencia-HO)

"I know I am condemned... I'm sure in Washington they are planning my death," Chavez said in a regular Sunday broadcast. "If anything happens to me, you can forget about Venezuela's oil Mr Bush."

Chavez was reacting to recent criticism of his left-wing government by U.S. officials. He often accuses Washington of backing opposition attempts to oust or even kill him, a charge Washington denies.

"If they manage to kill me there will only be one person in this world to blame: the president of the United States," Chavez said. "If you try, you will regret it Comrade Mr Bush."

Diplomatic ties between the United States and Venezuela, one of its key oil suppliers, have soured since Chavez came to power nearly six years ago promising to fight poverty.

U.S. officials have stepped up their criticism of Chavez since January when Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice branded him a "negative force" in Latin America.

A tough-talking former army officer, Chavez presents himself as alternative to what he sees as U.S. imperialist policies. He says President Bush's administration backed a 2002 coup against him, which he survived, and then financed a vote campaign to try and oust him.

U.S. officials worry about Chavez's close ties with Cuban leader Fidel Castro and have suggested he also backs insurgent groups in the region, including Marxist rebels in Colombia.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick last week said Chavez was part of a trend of creeping authoritarianism and Washington is concerned that Russian rifles bought by Venezuela could aid Colombian rebels.

Chavez's accusation on Sunday echoed similar comments by Castro who said earlier this month that United States would be responsible if Chavez were assassinated.

© 2005 Reuters

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