Four private channels exist in Venezuela, all ostensibly neutral, while the government has four state-run channels and the regional news network Telesur.

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Mr Rangel told the TeleSur network that the accusations could be interpreted "as the first act of opposition by (President) Uribe" against his successor.

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Venezuela is the main shareholder in Telesur, a Caracas-based pan-American TV.

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Speaking to the Telesur network, Venezuela's minister of science, technology and innovation, Jorge Arreaza, said Chavez is able to communicate even if he has some difficulty speaking.

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