Venezuela Leader Vows War if U.S. Invades

Sunday, March 7, 2004
(8:30 PM ET)
By Alice M. Chacon

Associated Press Writer

Chavez has increasingly railed against U.S. meddling in Venezuelan affairs as his opponents step up protests to demand the recall vote.

Anti-President Hugo Chavez protesters march against Chavez in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, March 6, 2004.

Image Credit: Leo Alvarez -- AP

CARACAS, Venezuela -- AP
President Hugo Chavez on Sunday vowed to freeze oil exports to the United States and wage a ``100-year war'' if Washington ever tried to invade Venezuela.

The United States has repeatedly denied ever trying to overthrow Chavez, but the leftist leader accuses Washington of being behind a failed 2002 coup and of funding opposition groups seeking a recall referendum on his presidency.

Chavez accused the United States of ousting former Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and warned Washington not to ``even think about trying something similar in Venezuela.''

Venezuela ``has enough allies on this continent to start a 100-year war,'' Chavez said during his weekly television show.

He added that ``U.S. citizens could forget about ever getting Venezuelan oil'' if the United States ever tried to invade.

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2004 © The Associated Press.

Dan