Bush 'heads mafia of assassins'
2004-07-19 18:27
Caracas - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez lashed out against the US administration of President George W Bush on Sunday charging the American leader of heading a "mafia of assassins".
Speaking on his weekly Hello President radio programme, Chavez also urged Venezuelans to turn to liberal US film maker Michael Moore for insight into Bush's presidency.
The embattled Venezuelan leader is facing a referendum on his rule August 15 and regularly accuses Washington of undermining his rule.
Chavez said Moore's film Fahrenheit 9/11 relates "how he (Bush) aspires to govern the world supported by those around him, because it's a mafia, a true mafia of assassins, there's no other way I can describe it."
Fahrenheit 9/11 is widely critical of Bush and his government.
Responding to recent US calls urging a transparent referendum, Chavez said Bush assumed office "through fraud" following the closely contested 2000 US election.
"Here, we don't endure or take pressure, not from you or any devil Mr Bush," Chavez said.
Chavez believes the US instigated a 2002 military coup that briefly ousted him from office.