In his October 29 statement Chávez called for an end to "the slaughter of innocents" by the U.S.-led forces in Afghanistan. Holding up photographs of children killed in the bombing raids, he said their deaths had "no justification and neither does the attack against New York." The U.S. State Department called the comparison "totally inappropriate."

Foreign Minister Luis Alfonso Dávila said after a meeting with the U.S. ambassador that the government reiterates "our position of friendship and cooperation with the United States," but added, "we cannot, nor are we obliged to, remain silent about the profound and growing concern that we have about the death and pain that war causes for innocent people."

In September the Venezuelan government said it considered a 1961 military alliance with Washington to have expired, calling it "a Cold War museum piece." Venezuela's foreign minister subsequently announced the U.S. military mission would leave shortly after.  
 
 
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