Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez again criticized US President George W. Bush for interfering in Venezuela's internal affairs, calling the latter "Emperor of Evil".

He made the remarks at an election rally less than one month before the referendum scheduled for Aug. 15 on whether he could keep his presidency, saying "you see how now the Emperor of Evil has spoken from Washington giving orders."

"Tell me what right does the President of the United States have to call for transparency in any electoral process in the world," Chavez said.

Bush on Monday urged transparency in the upcoming Venezuelan referendum and called for international observers' free access to the voting process.

Chavez, who was elected in 1998 and re-elected to a six-year term in 2000, has been accused by his opponents of wrecking Venezuela's economy. He has experienced two general strikes, a 48-hour military coup in April 2002 and a strike at the beginning of last year.

Chavez believed the United States was behind the 2002 coup and has repeatedly accused Bush's government of plotting with the opposition to invade Venezuela and overthrow him.

As the recall referendum is near, Chavez intensified his attacks on Washington, saying Bush, not the Venezuelan opposition,was his true political foe.

According to surveys, the country is almost evenly divided between those who would oust Chavez and those who would have him to stay on as president.

Source: Xinhua