Venezuela Vice President Slams Robertson

Venezuela condemned American religious broadcaster Pat Robertson for suggesting President Hugo Chavez should be killed, saying he committed a crime that is punishable in the United States.

Officials in Washington distanced themselves from Robertson, saying his statements did not reflect the position of the U.S. government.

Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel said Venezuela was considering legal action against Robertson for saying U.S. agents should “take out” Chavez, an outspoken critic of President Bush and close ally of Cuban leader Fidel Castro.

“There is a legal measure in the United States that condemns and punishes statements of this nature,” Rangel said, referring to laws dealing with television broadcasts.

SFGate