Chavez urges Obama to end US desire to 'dominate the world'

VENEZUELA: President-elect Barack Obama should end the US desire "to dominate the world", Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said at a public event here.

"I send a message to the president elect of the United States, Senor Barack Obama: that he take his place in history and forget imperialism, the US desire to dominate the world, and its desire to abuse people, bomb republics and nations, and topple presidents," said Chavez, speaking late Tuesday.

Chavez also had some choice words for outgoing US President George W. Bush: "Shut up, Bush ... You have nothing left to say."

Chavez and Bush have maintained a contentious relationship, with the Venezuelan leader accusing his US counterpart of plotting to kill him. Chavez famously called Bush "the devil" in a 2006 United Nations speech.

In mid-September Venezuela expelled the US ambassador to Caracas, and Washington responded in kind.

Despite the heated rhetoric, the United States remains the largest customer for Venezuela's oil, the country's most important export.

According to US government figures, Venezuela is the fourth largest supplier of crude oil to the United States after Canada, Saudi Arabia and Mexico.

Caracas, Wednesdasy, AFP