Venezuela's Chavez alleges $100 million plot to kill him

Would this surprise anyone if its true.


(Reuters) - Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez accused a fugitive TV tycoon on Saturday of being involved in a $100 million reward offer for his assassination.

Idolized by supporters among Venezuela's poor but loathed by many in the business class, former soldier Chavez, 56, has frequently alleged plans to kill him during his more than 11 years at the helm of the South American oil-producer.

"As I understand it from very trustworthy information, they say they have $100 million to give the person who kills me," Chavez said, talking of his political foes in general.

He accused the fugitive boss of pro-opposition TV station Globovision, Guillermo Zuloaga, of being one of those behind the plan. Zuloaga fled to the United States earlier this year after being charged with fraud over his car dealership.