The US Government has been accused of trying to undermine Hugo Chavez by funding anonymous groups via its main international aid agency.

Millions of dollars have been provided for a "pro-democracy programme" that Chavez supporters claim is a covert attempt to bankroll an opposition to defeat the Venezuelan Government.

The money is being provided by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) through its Office of Transition Initiatives.

The anti-Chavez fund revelation follows the recent announcement that the US had made US$80m available for groups seeking to bring about change in Cuba, whose communist government is closely allied to Chavez's administration.

Information about the funding was obtained by US news agency the Associated Press (AP).

Following information requests by AP, USAID released copies of 132 of its funding contracts, but obscured the names and other identifying details of nearly half the organisations receiving money.

The contracts reveal that the Office of Transition Initiatives has overseen more than US$26m in grants to groups in Venezuela since 2002.

Among the grants detailed are one for US$47,459 for a "democratic leadership campaign," another US$37,614 for "citizen meetings" to discuss a "shared vision" for society, and one of US$56,124 to analyse Venezuela's new constitution.

"What this indicates is that there is a great deal of money, a great deal of concern to oust or neutralise Chavez," said Larry Birns, director of the Council on Hemispheric Affairs. "The US is waging diplomatic warfare against Venezuela."

"It's trying to implement regime change," agreed Venezuelan-American lawyer Eva Golinger.

USAID officials denied any suggestion the money had any political aim and said the reason for anonymity for some groups was to protect them from potential harassment.

Source: China Daily