CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez reiterated his opposition to the Free Trade Area of the Americas on Tuesday, saying his stance seems to concern "Mr. Danger" -- an apparent reference to U.S. President George W. Bush.
Chavez made the comment as he announced he will join Cuban President Fidel Castro in Havana later this month for a meeting of Cuban and Venezuelan business executives. The meeting is to be held from April 27-30.
Chavez told businesspeople at a similar gathering Tuesday night that the visit was intended to help boost an alternative to the U.S.-backed FTAA, which he has called the Bolivarian Alternative for America.
The Venezuelan leader said in 2001 "Mr. Danger" had sent a message urging him not to go against the proposal for the FTAA, a free trade zone that would include most countries in the Western Hemisphere.
But Chavez has repeatedly expressed concern the free trade area would allow North American corporations to dominate Latin America.
That opposition has clearly drawn concern, Chavez said.
"That is one of the reasons why Mr. Danger has his sight set on us," Chavez said.
"They must be worried because we're going to sell sardines to Cuba and they don't want Cubans to eat ..." Chavez said, referring to the U.S. embargo on trade with Cuba.
U.S.-Venezuelan relations have been tense recently, with Washington expressing concerns about Chavez's close ties to Castro, his plans to buy Russian arms and the health of democracy in Venezuela. Chavez has accused the U.S. government of trying to meddle in Venezuela's affairs and destabilize his government.
However, he has said Venezuela will keep selling oil to the United States, its top customer.
Some 200 Venezuelan businesspeople will travel to Cuba with Chavez to offer their products on the island, the state-run Bolivarian News Agency said.
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