Chavez says McCain seems like 'man of war'

CARACAS, Venezuela, March 26 (UPI) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says Republican presidential hopeful John McCain seems like a "man of war."

The leftist Chavez said during his remarks about the U.S. presidential race that he hoped the next U.S. leader would work toward improving relations with Venezuela, El Nacional reported Tuesday.

U.S.-Venezuelan relations have soured markedly during the Bush administration with Caracas accusing the White House of trying to overthrow the Chavez administration and backing a short-lived coup in 2002.

Bush officials deny having any U.S. involvement in the coup though the administration spoke in support of his overthrow at the time.