CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - Venezuela's vice-president accused the United States of meddling in his country's affairs yesterday, saying Washington's interference is exacerbating a dispute with Colombia over the capture of a Colombian rebel on Venezuelan soil.

The criticism by Vice-President Jose Vicente Rangel came a day after the US State Department denied allegations by Venezuelan officials of US involvement in the capture of Colombian rebel Rodrigo Granda last month.

Rangel lashed out at demands from Washington that Venezuela explain why Granda was allowed to move freely inside the country, and explain a list of 10 Colombian rebels reputedly hiding out in Venezuela.

"The State Department is again attacking the government and the people of Venezuela," Rangel said in a statement. He said the sharp comments by State Department officials reveal a "plan of systematic provocation, of blatant meddling in the internal affairs of our country."

The accusations suggested deepening hostility between President Hugo Chavez's government and the United States.
Political analysts say Venezuela's diplomatic rifts with neighbouring Colombia and the United States are unlikely to be resolved soon - but also unlikely to worsen dramatically.
They argue Chavez, a fierce critic of US President George W Bush, is unlikely to push touchy issues that could endanger vital trade ties.

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