Chavez says Bush's Latin America tour doomed to failure

CARACAS, Venezuela

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Saturday that he saw U.S. President George W. Bush's upcoming tour to Latin America as a diplomatic offensive aimed at isolating his leftist government. Chavez said that Bush's planned trip was "without a doubt" aimed at dividing the region and containing Venezuela's influence.

"But it's too late. I think the U.S. president now has nothing to find in Latin America. It is an offensive destined to the abyss of failure," Chavez told a news conference.

Chavez said he respected the decision by other Latin American nations to "receive this little gentleman," but in Venezuela, "we will never receive him. Never. Because we know what he is. This is nothing personal."