Jimmy Carter: US likely involved in the Hugo Chavez Coup

Remember the time in April 2002 when a military-civilian junta ousted Hugo ChavezHugo Chavez from power for almost 48 hours? If the former US president, Jimmy CarterJimmy Carter is to be believed the failed coup was orchestrated by Washington.

Speaking to El Tiempo, a Colombian newspaper, Carter said: "I think there is no doubt that in 2002, the United States had at the very least full knowledge about the coup, and could even have been directly involved". However, the then administration under George W. BushGeorge W. Bush has denied US involvement of any sort in the coup.

Carter also underlined that he believed Chavez's 1999 election to be "fair" and that the Venezuelan Government had went on to implemet necessary reforms thereafter. Carter believes currently Chavez is politically consolidating his power and it would be "almost impossible" for US now to establish friendly relations with the country.

Expressing his worries over the Venezuelan leader's authoritarian drift, Carter expressed that Chavez should refrain from attacking and insulting the United States if international relations are to improve. However, Carter adds that Chavez's local popularity has seen a wane and he now wields a lesser influence outside his home turf too.

Still, the outspoken President Chavez, a known critic of American policies is Latin America's powerful leftist leader and has allies in other leftist governments of the region.

- myVox