Hugo Chavez, Thought Enforcer

from the AP

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- Government intelligence agents have raided a business printing opposition political pamphlets ahead of next month's state elections in Venezuela.

Zulia state Gov. Pablo Perez says the raid by the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service in the western city of Maracaibo is an attempt to intimidate opponents of President Hugo Chavez's government. He told reporters on Saturday that such actions are "abuses of power."

The intelligence agency's regional chief Carlos Calderon tells the Panorama newspaper that agents on Friday found pamphlets that aimed to "sabotage the candidacy" of Francisco Arias Cardenas, a Chavez ally running against Perez in the Dec. 16 elections.

Calderon didn't give details but said officials reported the propaganda to electoral authorities.