Chavez: Venezuela no 'paradise' for drug smugglers
By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
President Hugo Chavez said US officials are criticizing Venezuela's anti-drug efforts for political reasons and denies his nation has become a "paradise" for smugglers.
The socialist leader said US authorities should be doing more to curb the consumption of illegal drugs within the United States instead of criticizing his government's fight against drug trafficking.
Chavez on Thursday denied claims by Washington that Venezuela has become a "paradise" for drug smugglers and said his government has "dealt many blows to drug trafficking."
By US estimates, the flow of Colombian cocaine through Venezuela has quadrupled since 2004, reaching an estimated 282 tons (256 metric tons) last year.
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