Venezuela's Chavez demanding independence for Puerto Rico

Caracas, Venezuela
Hugo Chavez is already at odds with U-S leaders over Venezuela's program to sell cheap oil to low-income Americans, including many in Connecticut.

Now, the Venezuelan president is citing a West Hartford incident as he demands independence for Puerto Rico.

Chavez today condemned the death of Filiberto Ojeda, who was shot last September while F-B-I agents tried to arrest him for a 1983 robbery in West Hartford.

Ojeda used the seven million dollars he stole from a Wells-Fargo truck there to help fuel the Puerto Rican independence movement.

Chavez cited Ojeda's death as he encouraged Puerto Rico's residents to fight for independence, though most Puerto Ricans favor the island's current status as a U-S territory.

The Venezuelan leader already is feuding with the U-S over Venezuela's program to sell heating oil at a 40 percent discount to low-income Americans.

U-S leaders say it's just meant to embarrass President Bush. Connecticut officials determined last month that it's legal for social service agencies here to participate in the program to help their low-income clients.