Few Colombians like Chavez of Venezuela

PRINCETON, N.J., Nov. 24 (UPI) -- Colombians have a more negative view of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez than Venezuelans do of Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, a poll released Tuesday said.

Venezuelans are also more likely to have no opinion at all of Uribe, a tribute to Chavez's fame or notoriety, the Gallup Poll said. In August, only 14 percent of those surveyed in Colombia approved of Chavez, down from 16 percent last year and 29 percent in July 2007.

Chavez and Uribe clashed shortly after the 2007 poll on the best way to deal with left-wing guerrillas in Colombia. The dispute sparked a slide in Chavez's popularity in the neighboring country.

In Venezuela, approval of Uribe has remained steady at about 43 percent for three years. Chavez, however, has slipped in the public opinion polls from 61 percent in 2006 to 52 percent in 2008.

Gallup also questioned Venezuelans and Colombians about their attitudes toward socialism and capitalism. They found Colombians who like Chavez are likely to consider themselves socialist.

A total of 1,000 adults were surveyed in face-to-face interviews in both countries. The margins of error range from 3.2 to 4 percentage points.