BREAKING NEWS

Chavez says foes would harm slums, see off Cubans

CARACAS - President Hugo Chavez accused political opponents eyeing a 2012 election battle on Sunday of wanting to reverse social policies in Venezuela's slums and rid the nation of Cubans who promote his self-styled "revolution."
The accusation is potentially damaging to the opposition given Chavez's socialist "barrio" projects -- like free healthcare and schooling plus subsidized food -- have underpinned his popularity in the South American OPEC member.