Candidate Rafael Correa for political Movimiento Alianza País party reported Tuesday that he held a meeting recently with Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez.

Correa told Ecuadorian TV channel Gamavisión that he traveled to Venezuela to deliver a number of conferences. When President Chávez heard from his visit, he invited Correa to his parents' house in western Barinas state.

"I have no links with the Venezuelan Bolivarian movement, but a personal friendship with President Hugo Chávez," Correa clarified. The candidate did not say if during his meeting with Chávez they discussed issues related to the elections in Ecuador next October 15th, Efe reported.

The candidate accepted Chávez's invitation. "But not even in Caracas. He was at his parents' place in his state of origin, Barinas. Therefore, we spent a pleasant night there, a family supper. His mother herself put the table. Chávez is a modest man."