Venzuela to US: Mind your own business

Venezuela's top diplomat hit back at the United States on Friday over its suggestion that President Hugo Chávez's government should allow an international investigation into alleged human-rights abuses.

Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro said the matter is a domestic affair and Washington has no business meddling.

"We absolutely reject that the US get involved in this issue," he said. "Our country does not accept tutelage from anybody."

Maduro was responding to a statement Thursday from the US State Department, which urged the South American nation to permit an investigation "as a means to promote dialogue and understanding."

Key demand

The investigation is the key demand of a small but growing group of students conducting a hunger strike and sympathisers who want the Organisation of American States (OAS) to look into their allegations that the government improperly uses judges and prosecutors to attack Chávez's political adversaries.

Justice Minister Tareck El Aissami said he discussed the demands with protesters Thursday. He said officials were considering some of the demands, but he ruled out the release of government opponents who have been sentenced to prison for crimes such as murder.

Chávez denies his government persecutes opponents.

The hunger strikers, who organisers say number about 68, have been protesting since January 31 in front of the OAS offices and several embassies in Caracas and in other cities. They say they are subsisting only on water and saline solution.

Activists vowed Friday to press on until their demands are met.

"If there is no positive response from the government, more people will join the strike," Julio Cesar Rivas said in a phone interview.

Rivas said governments throughout the Americas should press Chávez's administration to respect human rights.

"The issue of human rights is an international issue, so governments in the region have to realise what's happening in Venezuela and react," he said.

- AP