President Hugo Chavez is concerned that war could break out in the Middle East if the United States and its allies attack Iran, one of Venezuela's closest allies.
Chavez says the world "is facing a truly worrisome situation," referring to what he perceives as growing tensions between the United States and Iran. In a Sunday newspaper column, Chavez also cited increasing animosities between the Koreas, unchecked violence in Afghanistan and what he called ``the criminal blockade' that Israel has imposed on Gaza.
Chavez accused Barack Obama of stirring up trouble around the globe. Chavez is very critical of Obama's foreign policy, saying the US president is following the war-mongering policies of his predecessor, George W. Bush.