Venezuelan Foreign Minister Fears Assassination Attempt on Hugo Chavez

www.voanews.com VOA News 13 Mar 2003, 16:54 UTC

Roy Chaderton MatosVenezuela's Foreign Minister Roy Chaderton Matos says he fears an attempt may be made to assassinate President Hugo Chavez.

Mr. Chaderton Wednesday accused the media in Venezuela and other countries of calling for the murder of Mr. Chavez. He also alleged that political opponents of Mr. Chavez have pushed for an assassination.

Mr. Chaderton did not immediately provide evidence to support his allegations.

Mr. Chaderton made the comments to reporters in the Colombian capital Bogota, where he attended a meeting of foreign and defense ministers of seven Latin American countries.

The nations on Wednesday signed a pledge to work together to combat terrorism and drug trafficking. The meeting included officials from Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru and Venezuela.