Chavez Berates U.S., Colombia

Supporters of President Hugo Chavez marched through the capital Sunday, demanding respect for Venezuela’s sovereignty from the U.S. and Colombia.

Last week, U.S. Secretary of State-designate Condoleezza Rice accused Venezuela of meddling in its neighbors’ affairs. And Colombia acknowledged that it had paid a bounty to capture a Colombian rebel on Venezuelan soil.

“Venezuela must be respected!” Chavez told the crowd. Referring to Colombia’s bounty, he added: “The only government that has defended this vulgar error is the imperialist government of the United States.”

The crowd chanted, “Chavez makes them crazy!”