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Chavez attacks Bush 'domination' Chavez attacks Bush 'domination'
(about 3 hours later)
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has attacked US counterpart George W Bush as a "symbol of domination" as the pair continue rival Latin American tours.Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has attacked US counterpart George W Bush as a "symbol of domination" as the pair continue rival Latin American tours.
Speaking at "anti-imperialist rally" in Buenos Aires, Mr Chavez said Mr Bush was a "political corpse". Speaking at "anti-imperialist rally" in Buenos Aires, Mr Chavez said Mr Bush was no more than a "political corpse".
Mr Bush arrived in the capital of neighbouring Uruguay, Montevideo, as Mr Chavez addressed the crowd of 20,000. Mr Bush arrived in the capital of neighbouring Uruguay, Montevideo, as Mr Chavez addressed the crowd of 40,000.
Mr Chavez's cries were as close as the two rivals will come, separated by just 65km (40 miles) across the River Plate.Mr Chavez's cries were as close as the two rivals will come, separated by just 65km (40 miles) across the River Plate.
'Battle for hearts and minds' 'Gringo go home!'
"The future belongs to us," Mr Chavez told the crowds, before shouting in English what has become his catchphrase: "Gringo go home!" "The little imperial gentleman from the north must be across the river by now. Let's send him a big shout: Gringo go home!" Mr Chavez, dressed in his trademark red shirt, shouted to the crowds.
Before the rally, Mr Chavez met Argentina's President Nestor Kirchner in Buenos Aires. We need to tell him North America is for North Americans and South America is for South Americans - this is our America Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/6432185.stm">US fights suspicion
Ahead of the meeting Mr Chavez said: "[George Bush] is a symbol of domination and we are a cry of rebellion against the domination... he's trying to trick our people to divide us." Before leaving Brazil, where the US president signed a deal aimed at promoting the bio fuel ethanol as an alternative to petrol, Mr Bush said his trip was aimed at promoting neighbourly relations.
The BBC's Daniel Schweimler in Buenos Aires says the pair are embroiled in a battle for hearts and minds in Latin America. "My trip is to explain as clearly as I can that our nation is generous and compassionate," Mr Bush said before heading for the second stop in his five-nation tour, Uruguay.
But protests before his arrival in the capital, Montevideo, ended with demonstrators smashing the windows of two McDonald's stores.
In Brazil on Thursday, about 20 were injured as demonstrations against Mr Bush erupted into clashes on the city's main avenue.
Hearts and minds
Mr Chavez insists that the timing of his tour is purely coincidental but the BBC's Daniel Schweimler in Buenos Aires says the pair are embroiled in a battle for hearts and minds in Latin America.
Both presidents are trying to garner public support in Latin America
Many analysts say the US president's tour is an attempt to counter the growing influence of his leftist arch-rival.
Mr Bush is visiting Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia, Guatemala and Mexico while Mr Chavez will move on from Uruguay to Colombia.
The Venezuelan president has a number of close allies in the region - most notably the leaders of Bolivia and Ecuador.The Venezuelan president has a number of close allies in the region - most notably the leaders of Bolivia and Ecuador.
Others such as Mr Kirchner, our correspondent says, cannot afford not to be friends with Mr Chavez, who enjoys massive support across Latin America, especially among the millions of poor. Others such as Argentine President Nestor Kirchner, our correspondent says, cannot afford not to be friends with Mr Chavez, who enjoys massive support across Latin America, especially among the millions of poor.
Mr Bush's trip, seen by analysts as an attempt to counter Mr Chavez's influence, has already been marred by violent protests in Brazil.
Mr Bush is visiting Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia, Guatemala and Mexico.