CARACAS, (Reuters) – Venezuela accused the United States yesterday of meddling in connection with student hunger strikes opposed to President Hugo Chavez and said Washington was trying to create “something like a virtual Egypt” in Venezuela.
A dozen students started a hunger strike outside the Caracas offices of the Organization of American States (OAS) 18 days ago, saying they wanted its Secretary-General Jose Miguel Insulza to visit to investigate cases of political prisoners. The original demonstrators have since been joined by other students.
On Thursday, the U.S. State Department urged Venezuela to allow a visit by Insulza, drawing a rebuke from the government, which says there are no political prisoners in the country.
