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► Venezuela insists on "decent" ties with US
► 27 parties to participate in general elections in Peru
► Venezuela, Brazil support combat against terrorism in Colombia
► Servicemen found to form Neo-Nazi groups in Uruguay
► Remittances to Latin America, Caribbean Topped $45 Billion in 2004

Venezuela insists on "decent" ties with US
The Venezuelan government has rebutted comments made by the US on its human rights record and expressed its desire to have "decent" relations with Washington based on mutual respect.

Venezuelan Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel said in a statement that relations with the United States must be based on "respect for sovereignty and other fundamental rights."

His statement comes after acting US Assistant Secretary of State Michael Kozak said Monday that "decent relations" could only be achieved if Venezuela was willing to respect human rights, freedom of speech and have an independent judiciary.

Rangel termed Kozak's accusations as groundless and said his country's record is free from tortured or missing people, deliberate law violations, and press censorship.

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