International > Chavez Supporters March Against Robertson

Chavez Supporters Protest in Venezuela, Urging Justice Against Robertson for Assassination Call

Supporters of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez hold banners that read "Pat Robertson, Killer" in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2005. Backers of President Chavez march to denounce Pat Robertson's call to assassinate him.(AP Photo/Gregorio Marrero

Protesters said they were asking Venezuelan prosecutors to get involved. Marchers held signs with images of Robertson, including one calling him an "enemy of Venezuela."

The march came after Chavez reiterated in a recent interview with CNN that Venezuela is prepared to defend itself against a U.S. invasion if necessary.

U.S. officials have firmly denied any such plan, but tensions between Chavez and Washington have increased in recent months.

Nearly two weeks ago, Robertson drew condemnation from Venezuela's government and others for suggesting Chavez should be assassinated because he poses a threat to the United States. Robertson, founder of the Christian Coalition of America, later apologized.

"Chavez is so good that he's helping Latin America, and they want to kill him," said Victor Farias, 33, a protester, referring to preferential oil deals that Venezuela is offering in the region.

The state-run Bolivarian News Agency, or ABN for its Spanish initials, reported late Friday that Chavez spoke of concerns about a U.S. invasion in an interview with CNN, portions of which were shown in recent days.

"If it occurs to the United States to invade our country Fidel Castro said it and I agree a war will start here to last 100 years," Chavez said, according to ABN.

U.S. Southern Command spokesman Jose Ruiz said his concerns are unfounded.

"The U.S. government has made it pretty clear there are no plans to invade Venezuela," Ruiz said in Miami.

Chavez has accused the U.S. government of backing a short-lived coup against him in 2002, a claim that U.S. officials deny.

2005-09-04