Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Thursday blamed US President George W. Bush for Venezuelan opposition parties' boycott of the elections.

"I denounce it before the world and hold responsible for this new conspiracy against Venezuela the very chief of the empire, Mr. Danger, the president of the United States," Chavez said in a speech.

"We will defeat the electoral coup," he said.

Venezuela's major opposition parties all took part in the boycott earlier Thursday, accusing the electoral council of pro-Chavez bias.

Venezuela has accused the US government of trying to destabilize the country by supporting an opposition boycott of the congressional elections scheduled for Sunday.

Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel said Wednesday that the United States has been repeatedly trying to interfere in Venezuela's affairs and sabotage the Chavez government.

However, US officials have denied any involvement in supporting the boycott.

Source: Xinhua