US 'seeks solution to Venezuela crisis'

Many fear the country could descend into civil war By Stephen Cviic BBC regional analyst news.bbc.co.uk

There are signs that the United States is to become more involved in the search for a solution to the political crisis in Venezuela.

US-Venezuelan relations soured following a failed coup against Chavez

A report in the Washington Post newspaper says the Bush administration is to planning to throw its weight behind the formation of a group of countries to be called the Friends of Venezuela.

This grouping - to include the US, Brazil, Mexico and Chile - would develop a proposal for early elections and would back existing negotiations sponsored by the Organization of American States (OAS).

It comes as a month-long general strike called by opponents of President Hugo Chavez continues to bring chaos to Venezuela's crucial oil industry.

Strained relations

The US had been reluctant to get too involved in Venezuela's political turmoil.

Lula: Interested in becoming a "Friend of Venezuela"?

In April last year the Bush administration had its fingers burned when it appeared to accept a short-lived coup against President Hugo Chavez.

The coup failed, and relations between Mr Chavez and Washington - which were uncomfortable even at the best of times - never recovered.

But Venezuela is becoming hard to ignore.

It is the largest foreign oil supplier to the US, and the bitter hostility between government and opposition supporters has had some commentators talking about a civil war.

On Thursday US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said his boss, US Secretary of State Colin Powell, had been in close contact with foreign ministers from various Latin American countries.

'Jockeying for position'

Now, the Washington Post newspaper is reporting that the US will soon announce a diplomatic initiative based on the formation of a group to be called the Friends of Venezuela.

In fact, the idea of such grouping has already been mentioned.

Brazil's new president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, is known to be interested in the idea.

What is not clear is the level of co-ordination between the various countries.

Brazil's left-wing government is sympathetic to Mr Chavez.

The US would probably like to have somebody else in charge.

At the very least, there will be some jockeying for position between the two regional giants over who is driving the