Chavez defends Venezuela's new military chief (AP)

CARACAS, Venezuela ? President Hugo Chavez is defending Venezuela's new military chief amid renewed allegations that he aided drug traffickers and Colombian rebels.

Speaking before thousands of soldiers at a military base, Chavez accused his adversaries of leading a smear campaign against his defense minister, Gen. Henry Rangel Silva.

The United States has accused Rangel of aiding drug smugglers and leftist guerrillas in neighboring Colombia.

Venezuela's opposition leaders have echoed those allegations as they gear up for Feb. 12 primaries to pick a challenger to run against Chavez in the Oct. 7 presidential election.

The president spoke during Tuesday's swearing-in ceremony for Rangel.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/world/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120118/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_venezuela_military_chief

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