Carter concerned Chavez has become authoritarian

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) - Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter says he is disappointed by Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez and concerned he is increasingly shifting toward an authoritarian regime.

Carter says Chavez initially helped the country by sharing national wealth. But Carter says Chavez is now consolidating political power, making it "almost impossible" for the Obama Administration to establish friendly relations with Venezuela.

His interview was published Sunday by Colombia's newspaper El Tiempo.
MyWay