Venezuela: US Spy Chief Warlike
Venezuela responded to attacks by US Department of National Intelligence chief John Negroponte Wednesday, denouncing that his accusations are attempting to create a climate favorable for aggression.

Venezuelan Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel said by displacing US foreign policy from the State Department to the Pentagon or the head of all 15 US espionage services has very serious consequences for democracy in the hemisphere.

Negroponte accused Venezuela of interfering in the domestic affairs of other countries of the region and "suffocating" the Venezuelan opposition.

Rangel implied that playing "hot potato" with attacks on Venezuela (referring to statements by US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, and now Negroponte) "reflects a victory for the hawks in US policy," and a sign of a "fascist trend" advancing in North America.

Recalling Negroponte´s lies to the US Congress over his tacit approval of torture and assassination during his stint as ambassador to Honduras (1981-1985) Rangel said the US official isn´t morally qualified to judge a democratically elected government.