Obama who will be the first black president in U

companies as part of his socialist agenda of nationalization of various industries and accused Washington of backing a brief coup against him.Last year, he expelled the U.S. global influence and promoting countries like Russia and China as world leaders He has close ties to U.S. foes Cuba and Iran.Until recently, Chavez had said he hoped relations with Washington could improve. But in the last few days, he has picked up on comments he attributes to Obama accusing him of obstructing progress in Latin America and exporting terrorism.(Reporting by Jorge Silva; Editing by John O'Callaghan) Barack Obama Cuba China Russia.

CAMPO CARABOBO, Venezuela, Jan 17 (Reuters) - VenezuelanPresident Hugo Chavez said on Saturday Barack Obama had the"stench" of his predecessor as U.S. president and was at riskof being killed if he tries to change the American "empire." Bonds Cuba China Russia Most world leaders expect a new era of U.S. foreignrelations when Obama, a Democrat, is sworn in as president onTuesday after Republican George W Bush's eight years in theWhite House. But Chavez said frayed ties with Washington were unlikelyto improve despite the departure of Bush, who the Venezuelanleader has often called the "devil." "I hope I am wrong, but I believe Obama brings the samestench, to not say another word," Chavez said at a politicalrally on a historic Venezuelan battlefield. "If Obama as president of the United States does not obeythe orders of the empire, they will kill him, like they killedKennedy, like they killed Martin Luther King, or Lincoln, whofreed the blacks and paid with his life." Obama, who will be the first black president in U.S.history, was given Secret Service protection on the campaigntrail earlier than is customary for candidates and security forTuesday's inauguration is extremely tight. Venezuela is a leading supplier of oil to the United Statesand the two countries once enjoyed close ties. Relations deteriorated after Chavez first won election in1998 as he took on U.S.

companies as part of his socialistagenda of nationalization of various industries and accusedWashington of backing a brief coup against him Last year, he expelled the U.S ambassador from Venezuela Chavez's foreign policy is based on countering U.S. globalinfluence and promoting countries like Russia and China asworld leaders He has close ties to U.S foes Cuba and Iran. But in the last few days, he haspicked up on comments he attributes to Obama accusing him ofobstructing progress in Latin America and exporting terrorism. (Reporting by Jorge Silva; Editing by John O'Callaghan) Bonds Cuba China Russia.