Chavez: Murder Plot Against Foe Foiled

AP) Venezuelan authorities have foiled a plot for a sniper attack on the opposition's leading presidential candidate ahead of this Sunday's election, President Hugo Chavez said Thursday.

Chavez said a group of "fascist" radicals had been plotting to use a rifle with a telescopic sight to shoot at Manuel Rosales during a speech in order to blame it on Chavez's government in an attempt to derail the vote.

"It was to say that Chavez sent them to kill him, and generate chaos," Chavez said during a news conference. Chavez said authorities had seized the weapon from an armored car.

"Fortunately, our intelligence services have improved enormously and we have neutralized many plans by crazy people," Chavez said, without giving details.

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