Venezuela Leader To Snub Blair

Sky News
May. 14, 2006

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez will snub Tony Blair on a visit to London today, when he attends a rally with Mayor Ken Livingstone. Mr Chavez has hit out at Mr Blair over his support for the Iraq War and has compared President Bush to Hitler. The controversial leader will, however, meet union officials and Labour MPs during his two-day visit.

Mr Livingstone has described Mr Chavez as "the best news out of Latin America in many years".

The mayor hailed his reforms and dismissed human rights groups' concerns about Venezuela's treatment of political opponents.

He said: "He's won 10 elections for his party in the last decade, and he's pushed through a whole programme of social reform.

"He's now driven a new economic order through. You've got for the first time healthcare for poor people. Illiteracy has been eradicated.

"And, of course, the rich old families and the American oil companies are squawking, because they're getting less of the pies and more people get more."

Mr Chavez is idolised by the poorer sections of Venezuelan society.

But his policies - including the seizure of under-used ranches without compensation - and his outspoken comments about the US have proved controversial.

Last week he told a rally he wanted a referendum which would give him permission to remain in office until 2031.