The US government has denied claims by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez that the United States is preparing to invade his country.
Mr Chavez, a vocal critic of imperialism and the Bush administration, said yesterday: "We are sure that it will be very difficult for the United States to attack Venezuela.
"If the United States tried to attack Venezuela by a direct invasion, forget the oil," he said during a two-hour news conference beamed live to Venezuela. "Everyday, we send 1.5 million barrels to the United States."
He said his country has eight oil refineries and 14,000 gasoline stations in the United States. Mr Chavez said he was not against the American people - just the current government.
In Washington, a State Department spokesman said Mr Chavez's suspicions were unfounded.
The Venezuelan leader used his news conference to trumpet what he called his "alternative" vision of a world that works for the poor rather than corporations seeking profits.
Mr Chavez reiterated longtime claims that the United States finances his opponents, seeks his ouster and sabotages efforts to move his country forward.
AP