Chavez: Venezuela captured 4 U.S spies
President Hugo Chavez said Friday that Venezuela has caught four people spying for the U.S. government and has turned them over to the Americans.
Speaking at a campaign rally, Chavez referred to the four after reading aloud a news report about the U.S. naming a "mission manager" for Cuba and Venezuela to oversee U.S. intelligence efforts for the two countries.
The Venezuelan leader gave few details about the circumstances, or how recently the four cases occurred. But he said one woman was caught not long ago while taking photos — of what it remained unclear — in the north-central city of Valencia.
"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," Chavez told the rally in western Venezuela.
Chavez consistently accuses the U.S. of conspiring to oust him and often asserts the CIA is working to destabilize his government. Last year he ordered one U.S.-based missionary group out of Indian communities where they worked, accusing them of spying for the CIA.
He said the Venezuelan government has followed the activities of U.S. spies closely. "I know where they go out to eat 'reina pepiada,'" Chavez said, referring to a Venezuelan dish of "arepa" corn cakes filled with avocado and chicken.
"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!"
0 votes
