Venezuelan politicians claim that the CIA plotted to kill Hugo Chavez, the president, in an attempt to derail the country’s legislative elections on 4 December. President Chavez has often denounced what he called US-backed plans to assassinate him. American officials deny the claims as populist rhetoric meant to increase support at home, and the CIA has dismissed the latest accusation. Nicolas Maduro, a Chavez ally and president of the National Assembly, said that he planned to file charges with the attorney-general and military prosecutors "of a plot orchestrated by the CIA against the Venezuelan democracy". But Paul Gimigliano, a CIA spokesman, said: "It's nonsense."| Fergawdsake. Just go ahead and bump him off. We're tired of hearing him shriek about it every three weeks. |