Chavez embarks on anti-Bush tour in Latin America

"He's a symbol of domination and we are a cry of rebellion against the domination ... he's trying to trick our people to divide us," Chavez told reporters before he met with fellow leftist President Nestor Kirchner of Argentina.

Chavez, Washington's leading critic in the region, plans to lead thousands of supporters on Friday evening in a soccer stadium rally in Buenos Aires coinciding with Bush's arrival in neighboring Uruguay.

Chavez continues his two-country tour on Saturday in Bolivia, where he has pledged millions of dollars in aid after extensive flooding and where President Evo Morales is one of his closest ideological allies.

Bush, who was met by violent protests in Brazil in the first leg of his tour aimed at making friends in the region, will continue to Colombia, Guatemala and Mexico after a weekend visit to Uruguay, where he hopes to strengthen trade ties.

Bush's trip is seen by many as an attempt to counter the growing influence of Chavez in a region where anti-American sentiment is strong, especially among the legions of poor.

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http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0838613720070309?src=030907_0955_TOPSTORY_bush_tries_to_win_over_latin_america