US diplomats visit alleged mercenary arrested in Venezuela

Two Washington diplomats visited on Wednesday a US national arrested for illegally entering Venezuela. President Hugo Chávez described the man as a possible "mercenary."

"We have been granted consular access to the detainee. This morning (Wednesday) we were told, 'He is ready to see you now,'" a US Embassy source told Reuters.

In a conciliating mood, Chávez said Tuesday night that he had authorized US diplomats to have access to a US national of Latin American descent arrested at the border with Colombia and stressed the "positive" attitude of Washington regarding the case.

The Venezuelan president said last week that the man said he has served as a Marine. Based on his documentation, the detainee has been in Iraq, Afghanistan and Jordan.

Chávez has frequently denounced the possibility of violence incited by his opponents, backed by the White House.

However, this time he has showed his willingness to work closely with Washington, an ideological rival he has challenged since he took office in 1999.