Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Wednesday accused Washington of financing Venezuelan opposition presidential candidates.

The opposition's presidential candidates have met "in secret" with U.S. officials, Chavez told thousands of his supporters during a campaign speech in west of Venezuela.

"I know where they eat reina pepiada (a Venezuelan dish)," said Chavez. He accused opposition candidates of receiving money and orders from Washington, but without mentioning names of those receivers.

Brian Penn, a spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Venezuela, denied Chavez's accusation, saying "we do not support (any Venezuelan) political candidates."

Chavez, who is racing for re-election in the presidential vote scheduled for Dec. 3, has repeatedly accused Washington of backing the opposition.

Source: Xinhua