Chavez urges Spain to respect Venezuela's sovereignty

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Wednesday demanded on Wednesday Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero respect Venezuela's sovereignty.

During a national TV and radio broadcast, Chavez rejected the accusations of Spanish National Audience's judge, Eloy Velasco, that "there are links between the Venezuelan government and Spanish separatist groups and Colombian guerillas."

The Spanish National Audience is the country's top criminal court.

Chavez said those accusations were irresponsible and he does not have anything to explain to Spain. He also suggested Rodriguez Zapatero to observe the Spanish justice.

Chavez said that Velasco's accusations "do not have proofs" and they are part of an international campaign against Venezuela.

Chavez stressed that he had talked with Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos on telephone, who affirmed that the government of Spain does not have anything to do with Velasco's accusations.

However, according to Chavez, Rodriguez Zapatero has told the media that he would ask the Venezuelan government for explanations about the accusations made by Velasco.

"I hope Rodriguez Zapatero sends an official letter, instead of requesting explanations when talking with the media," Chavez said, adding that "the ties (between both countries) depend on Rodriguez Zapatero's attitude."

Chavez said that his country is the victim of an intense attack of the extreme right-wing which try to sabotage his country's initiative of creating the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States.

Source: Xinhua