Chavez borthers caught up in land drama

CARACAS, Venezuela, March 27 (UPI) -- Venezuelan lawmakers are investigating claims that two brothers of President Hugo Chavez purchased several tracts of land using others to hide the transactions.

Lawmaker Wilmer Azuaje said Chavez's brothers purchased a 17 ranches in recent years. However, the ranches were purchased by others on their behalf, Globovision reported Thursday.

The revelation, if proven true, would be an embarassment for the administration of Chavez, Globovision said, since Chavez has pushed for more equal distribution of land among the country's poor.