Chavez Says Venezuela Captured Four U.S. Spies
President Hugo Chavez said Friday that Venezuela has caught four people, including a naval attache at the U.S. Embassy whom he accused of spying in February, and ordered out of the country spying for the U.S. government and has turned them over to the Americans.
"The gringos in intelligence are fools," Chavez told the rally in western Venezuela. "I've caught four of their spies, four, and I've put them back in their hands. Not long ago we caught a very beautiful woman in Valencia, taking photos. Taking photos because they're fools."
CIA spy chief for Venezuela
Chavez read the name of the official named by Negroponte to head the Cuba and Venezuela mission, 32-year intelligence veteran J. Patrick Maher, and laughed.
Hugo Chavez, the Venezuelan president, said he believed that Maher's appointment was linked to presidential elections due in December that he is widely expected to win.
"This shows us that the empire does not rest, that it is hatching a plan for December or a period before December," he told reporters. "But whatever it is, we will thwart it."
U.S. officials have denied trying to overthrow the leftist Chavez, who is Cuban President Fidel Castro's close ally and friend. But U.S. President George W. Bush's government has repeatedly labeled Chavez a threat to democracy.
Chavez said he wishes the best for the American people and hopes they one day "live under democracy, because they live under a fascist dictatorship."
