"A very dangerous plan is being devised in Colombia by the United States -endorsed by Colombia- to bring paramilitary into Venezuela," claimed Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez Sunday during his weekly radio and television show.

"The impact of such plan can be felt already, for example here in (southwestern) Barinas, (southwestern) Alto Apure (in Apure state), (southwestern) Táchira state, and northwestern Zulia state, along the border (with Colombia), and they even get to Caracas."

"There are paramilitary in Caracas, but they are not wearing uniform or carrying rifles, but they are doing their job in low-income neighborhoods; they are selling cocaine under market price to get the confidence of the gangs and criminals in order to equip them with war weapons."

The Venezuelan ruler claimed that the plan was shaped by the US empire and has its headquarters in Colombia, where some officials support it.

"Some sectors among the Colombian government and military forces are well aware of the plan and are boosting and supporting it," he said, adding he is taking steps to report this issue to international bodies.

Further, Chávez claimed US President George W. Bush was promoting an "economic war" against Venezuela. He was referring to the legal dispute between Venezuelan state oil firm Pdvsa and US oil major Exxon Mobil.