U.S.: Statements from Chavez 'horrific'

WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Statements from the Venezuelan president suggesting the United States was infecting Latin American leaders with cancer are "horrific," an official said.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who had a tumor removed in June, said he wondered whether the rise in cancer diagnoses among leftist Latin American leaders was part of a U.S. plot. He maintained his speculation wasn't an accusation, however.

Nevertheless, Victoria Nuland, a spokeswoman for the U.S. State Department, said the Venezuelan president's statements were regrettable.

"With regard to the Chavez statements, let me simply say that they are horrific and reprehensible," she said.

In addition to the cancer diagnosis for Chavez who has been treated in Cuba, this week it was revealed that Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner had thyroid cancer.

Chavez next month is expected to host Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as part of a broad tour of Latin American countries.

U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R.-Fla., chairwoman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, described Ahmadinejad's itinerary as a "tour of tyrants." She said his visit was a direct threat to U.S. national security interests.

Nuland said only she hoped Latin American leaders would follow the direction of the international community in regards to Iran.

"Our hope and expectation is that these (countries) will increase the pressure on Iran," she said.