WORLD BRIEFING / VENEZUELA

President Hugo Chavez has said he hopes to “reset” relations with the United States at an Americas summit this month after nearly a decade of tensions.

Chavez has for months offered mixed signals about his attitude toward President Obama, sometimes praising his administration but at other times mocking him as the leader of an “empire” or calling him an “ignoramus.”

Both Obama and Chavez are expected to attend the meeting starting April 17 in Trinidad and Tobago.