CARACAS, Tuesday June 30, 2009 | Update
Western Hemisphere
Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez on Tuesday stated in Managua, the capital city of Nicaragua, that "out of caution" he would not join ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya in his return to his country on Thursday.
"I would like to go with Mel (Manuel Zelaya), but I should not because it is said that I am guilty of everything (the crisis in Honduras). Then, my presence (in Tegucigalpa, the Honduran capital city) can be taken as a pretext for violent scenarios," Chávez said at the Managua International Airport, where he took part in a meeting of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA) on Monday before leaving for Caracas, reported Efe.
Chávez, as quoted by state-run Radio Nicaragua, said that should he join Zelaya, a well-trained sniper could shoot at him or the delegation accompanying him.
"Then, I should not go (to Honduras). I want to, but I should not. You have to be cautious," he said.
04:20 PM. Western Hemisphere. Colombian President Álvaro Uribe said on Tuesday that governments should ensure citizens' rights to live on the border, in reference to a political and diplomatic crisis with Venezuela and its effects on border residents.