Venezuela's Chavez accuses US of role in violent protests in Bolivia

CARACAS, Venezuela: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Saturday accused the U.S. government of having a hand in violent protests that are stalling constitutional reforms in Bolivia.

As he met visiting Bolivian President Evo Morales at the airport in eastern Puerto Ordaz, Chavez accused "fascists" in the Bolivian "oligarchy" of trying to sabotage the work of an assembly rewriting Bolivia's constitution.

The violent protests have prompted the assembly to call a monthlong recess in hopes of rescuing the new charter, one of Morales' central reforms.

Chavez said that behind Morales' Bolivian opponents is "the hand of the empire of the United States, the hand of the imperialist government of George Bush. We haven't the slightest doubt."

U.S. officials have repeatedly denied Chavez's claims that Washington is trying to topple him and other allied leftist leaders in Latin America.

Over the last week a small group of university students has repeatedly clashed with police in the southern Bolivian city of Sucre, burning tires and trying to seize the historic theater housing the assembly.

Protesters demanding the relocation of Bolivia's capital have threatened to shutter the assembly, convened by Morales to draw up a new constitution granting a greater voice to the country's indigenous majority.

Chavez said Morales had called him recently and asked to visit. The two leaders planned to discuss energy-related accords, among other subjects.