Chavez: Washington is trying to kill me

CARACAS, Venezuela, Feb. 21 (UPI) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said the United States is planning to kill him, El Nacional newspaper reported Monday.

"I am sure that in Washington they are considering ways to kill me," said Chavez in a nationally televised broadcast, adding President Bush would be the man responsible for his death.

"If you try (to kill me), you will regret it comrade Bush," he said Sunday.

In recent weeks Chavez has stepped up his anti-Bush and Washington rhetoric following criticism from new U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice who called the Venezuelan leader a "negative force" in Latin America.

U.S. officials have also expressed concern about Venezuela's decision to improve China's access to its oil fields. Venezuela is the world's 5th largest oil supplier.

A short-lived coup in April 2002 saw Chavez removed from power for two days before returning to office. At the time, Washington expressed approval of his ousting.