Venezuela’s President Hugo Chávez warned Sunday (March 4) that assassination plots against him are serious and accused associates of international terrorist Luis Posada Carriles of being involved, reported Prensa Latina. In an interview with journalist and former vice president Jose Vicente Rangel, Chávez stated that the plans included the
use of a car-bomb and attacking the presidential executive jet with anti-aircraft missiles.
Chávez underscored that an attempt to assassinate him increases as removing him from office by means of a coup or a popular uprising are improbable.
The president noted that U.S. undersecretary of State John Negroponte, “a professional assassin” was recently sworn in, and units of the Central Intelligence Agency were activated.
“They have assigned special CIA units and real assassins are roaming not only here in Venezuela, but also in South and Central America,” said Chávez.
“Not too long ago, for example, reports came in from Central America. Posada Carriles’ associates are very active in Central America and looking for contacts in Venezuela and, among other things, are looking for large quantities of explosives,” said Chávez.
