Venezuela criticizes McCain ad targeting Chavez

Venezuela is taking issue with a John McCain campaign ad focusing on President Hugo Chavez. The Spanish-language TV spot is running in Florida. It features Chavez cursing the U.S. during a recent speech when he expelled its ambassador. His expletives are bleeped out. The ad notes that Democrat Barack Obama has expressed willingness to meet with Chavez, and asks: 'Do you think we should talk with Chavez?' The Venezuela Information Office condemned the ad Friday as an 'attempt at fear-mongering' that demonizes Venezuela and Chavez. The U.S.-based office, which is funded by Chavez’s government, said his words 'were taken out of context and used as a baseless attack.'