Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Wednesday that the Colombian paramilitaries arrested near Caracas since Sunday was an "invasion" of Venezuela organized in the United States and Colombia.

Chavez, who faces a possible recall referendum, has charged theright-wing paramilitary United Self Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) for collaborating with Venezuelan opposition forces in a coupto oust him, after about 100 suspected members of the Colombian group have been arrested mostly at a ranch on the southern outskirts of the capital Caracas.

Roberto Alonso, owner of the ranch, is a Cuban exile and an important member of Venezuela's opposition against Chavez. He is reportedly linked to Cuban exile groups headquartered in Miami opposed to Cuba's Communist President Fidel Castro.

Miami and Colombia are the two points in an axis and two epicenters where they were planning, preparing the invasion, Chavez said in a national broadcast.

With no proof yet, Chavez said investigations would prove his charges that foreign-backed opponents were conspiring to topple him. He cited criticism of his rule by US and Colombian authorities, but stopped short of accusing the US and Colombian governments.

The opposition has dismissed the case as a government ploy to justify a crackdown on them and to distract attention from effortsto stage a referendum to recall the president.

On Monday, a police search on a US Embassy warehouse was carried out as part of the plot investigation. The search found nothing.

US Ambassador Charles Shapiro has denied any involvement in theplan to use paramilitaries against Venezuela. The Colombian government has also rejected the coup accusation by Chavez and supported the Venezuelan authorities in probing the case.

Three active-duty Venezuelan military officials have been detained by the authorities for allegedly cooperating with the suspected paramilitaries.

Preliminary investigation indicated more than 130 Colombians, dressed in Venezuelan military uniforms, had been undergoing military training at the ranch after they secretly came to Venezuela in March.

Security officials said the police are still hunting other Colombians who have fled the ranch.

Source: Xinhua