UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 20 (UPI) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez lambasted President Bush at the United Nations Wednesday calling him "el diablo" -- the devil.
"The devil lives in this country. Yesterday (Tuesday) the devil came here, right here ... it still smells from sulfur today," said Chavez before an audience of world leaders, some of whom applauded the outspoken Venezuelan leader's remarks.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton said he would not react to Chavez's "comic strip approach" to diplomacy. The White House also refused comments on the remarks.
Relations between Caracas and Washington have been tense in recent years. The Bush administration accuses Chavez of trying to promote his brand of socialism throughout the region, while the Venezuelan president alleges the White House played a role in the April 2002 coup attempt that saw Chavez briefly deposed.
Recently Chavez forged an oil drilling agreement with Iran for exploration in Venezuela. He has also fostered close ties to Cuban leader Fidel Castro.
