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01/29/2006:

"US diplomat flees Venezuela rather than face charges of CIA espionage"

Prensa Latina: The naval attache of the US Embassy in Venezuela, John Correa, has left the country after his participation in an espionage case involving several Venezuelan low-ranking officers was revealed.

When he realized the espionage network had been discovered, Correa organized the escape of several of the officers involved to Miami, and then he fled when Venezuelan authorities called him up for a meeting, according to a report on Friday's VEA newspaper.

Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel confirmed some low-ranking officers were leaking top secret information to the Pentagon through Correa who, making use of his diplomat status, recruited the Venezuelan officers for US intelligence services.
vheadline.com


US wants Venezuela on terror sponsor list: Chavez
CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said on Friday Washington planned to brand Venezuela a sponsor of terrorism as he used the World Social Forum to vent against U.S. imperialism and the Iraq war.

Chavez, a close ally of U.S. foe Cuba, gave no evidence to back up his claim and has often charged U.S. President George W. Bush with planning to overthrow or assassinate him since he survived a 2002 coup.

Washington has repeatedly denied the allegations.

The socialist leader has become one of Bush's fiercest critics after putting his self-styled revolution at the heart of regional opposition to Washington's free-market proposals for South America.

"The imperialism we face now is the most perverse, murdering, genocidal and immoral," Chavez told packed crowds at an "anti-imperialism" event. "The latest detail we have is this year they want to include Venezuela on the list of countries supporting terrorism."


State closes in on deal for cheap oil from Venezuela
Vermont is close to a deal to obtain discounted fuel oil from Venezuela — a deal that would save low-income Vermonters precious dollars off their home heating bills this winter.

Rep. Bernard Sanders, I-Vt., expects to announce details of the agreement next week with Venezuela and Citgo, the government-controlled oil company.