U.S. dismisses Venezuelan claim it supported coup

<a href=www.sfgate.com>sfgate.comWednesday, April 16, 2003
(04-16) 16:26 PDT CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) --

The U.S. Embassy on Wednesday denied Venezuelan claims that the United States supported last year's short-lived coup against President Hugo Chavez.

Army Gen. Melvin Lopez said Tuesday that Venezuela had proof of U.S. involvement. He said on state television that three U.S. helicopters were in Venezuelan territory during the April 11-14 coup, but didn't elaborate further. "We have the evidence," he said.

"These speculations are unfounded, totally false," U.S. Embassy spokesman John Law told Union Radio on Wednesday.

Law denied any U.S. aircraft was in Venezuelan territory during the coup.

"There was no American plane or helicopter in Venezuelan territory at that date," he said.

Dissident generals rose up against Chavez after 19 Venezuelans died and over 100 were wounded by gunfire as opposition marchers clashed with government supporters in downtown Caracas.

Loyalists in the military helped Chavez regain power on the 14th.

Following his return, Chavez said "worrying details" had emerged suggesting a foreign country might have been involved in his temporary overthrow.

The Bush administration has repeatedly denied that it was involved in the coup.