Spain thwarts alleged Venezuelan spying

MADRID, Oct. 22 (UPI) -- Spanish authorities thwarted an effort to spy on Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero during a visit to Venezuela in 2005, a report says.

Allegedly working on the orders of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, Venezuelan security officials reportedly placed a microphone under a table ahead of a meeting between Zapatero and the Venezuelan opposition leaders, Spain's El Pais newspaper reported Monday.

Venezuelan officials have denied the allegations.