US accuse Chavez of fuelling drug trade

United States anti-drugs official has accused Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez of being involved in the drugs trade.



Director of the US Office of National Drug Control Policy, John Walters, said Venezuela has become a haven for shipments of cocaine manufactured in Colombia.



According to Mr. Walters about one third of Colombia\'s output of 600 tonnes of cocaine a year passes through Venezuela.



He said Mr. Chavez has failed to get rid of corrupt officials or to deny Venezuelan ports and airfields to smugglers.



Mr. Chavez denied the charges. He said Venezuela is a victim in the drugs trade.