Venezuela Orders US Offices Vacated --U.S. Embassy sources said the move came as a surprise. In a statement, the embassy said ``we regret this decision as it will make it difficult to carry on our long-standing relationship with the Venezuelan government's military.'' The action came on the eve of President Fidel Castro's two-day visit to southwestern Venezuela.
The United States is the biggest importer of Venezuelan oil, and the two countries cooperate closely on counter-narcotics efforts. But President Hugo Chavez vocally challenges what he describes as U.S. political and economy dominance abroad.
OAS to Sign Pact Defending Democracy-- LIMA, Peru (AP) - The general assembly of the Organization of American States gathered in Lima on Monday to approve a document aimed at protecting the region's democracies against assaults by ``disguised dictatorships.''
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The strongest opposition came from Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, whose failed coup attempt in 1992 and political reforms since his election in 1998 have drawn accusations that he is trying to consolidate near-dictatorial powers in the Fujimori mold.