Venezuela Accuses Washington of Interference
Venezuelan Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel accused the United States government of interfering in his country´s domestic affairs and criticizing judicial-power decisions.

In statement in Maracay, 68 miles southeast Caracas, Rangel urged international organizations to respect Venezuela Judicial Power, which is autonomous, independent and sovereign, he said.

The top Venezuelan official was questioned about criticism by the US State Department spokesman Tom Casey and the Human Right Watch organization to the decision of trying four leaders of Sumate (Join us) organization.

This opposition organization was charged with using money from National Endowment for Democracy, an institution that receives US official funds.

Maria Corina Machado, one of the defendant, was officially received by President George W. Bush at the White House, an act interpreted in Caracas as an interference in Venezuela´s internal affairs.

Rangel said that if the international organizations´ arguments in relation to the Venezuelan Judicial Power are legitimate, they should criticize imprisonment of US journalist Judith Miller, for not revealing her source.

He said that decision violates the US citizens´ rights.