WASHINGTON IN BRIEF : U.S. Commander Decries Venezuela's Political Direction

www.washingtonpost.com Friday, March 14, 2003; Page A05

Directing unusually blunt language at Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, the top U.S. military officer in Latin America said yesterday he sees a trend toward authoritarianism in the troubled country.

Gen. James T. Hill, head of the U.S. Southern Command, gave his assessment to the Senate Armed Services Committee.

He said the street protests during the two-month general strike that crippled Venezuela's economy were "for lack of a better term, democracy in action."

He said that following the strike, Chavez's "actions may portend a move toward greater authoritarianism. In my mind, that bears watching very carefully. I have directed my people to do that."

Hill also said that U.S. efforts to help Colombia fight leftist guerrillas have been successful, but that the country's conflict will not be resolved solely by military means.