Chavez launches biting US attack

Visiting Bolivia, the firebrand leftist leader said that capitalism was "the road to hell".

Mr Chavez underlined the billions of dollars of aid Venezuela is ploughing into Bolivia's economy at a time when the US is reducing its contributions.

US President George W Bush has avoided discussing his rival's regional trip during his own visit to Latin America.

Heaven and earth

"Those who want to go directly to hell, they can follow capitalism," Mr Chavez said in the town of Trinidad in Bolivia.

And those of us who want to build heaven here on earth, we will follow socialism," he added.

Recent floods in the town left thousands of homeless and their livestock drowned.

Venezuela's aid package of $15m (11.4m euros) outweighed the sum offered by the US tenfold.

The country also sent in aid workers who attended their president's speech on the airport runway.

During his visit, Mr Chavez also pledged more than $1bn (£0.5bn; 0.76bn euros) for oil projects and community radio stations in the country.

Mr Bush spent Saturday in Uruguay where he spoke of the US care for the "human condition" and its "quiet, effective diplomacy".

Rural retreat

He defended capitalism, saying one way to lift people out of poverty was to encourage investment.

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