Chile's government has rejected criticism of its Senate by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
Earlier this week, President Chavez said the Chilean Senate is dominated by what he called "a fascist right," after senators protested his decision to cancel the license of private Venezuelan network Radio Caracas Television. Mr. Chavez has accused the station of supporting a failed 2002 military coup against him. RCTV denies the accusation.
The lawmakers agreed to ask Chilean President Michelle Bachelet to criticize the cancellation to members of the Organization of American States.
A Chilean presidential spokesman (Ricardo Lagos Weber) defended the Senate's actions Friday. He said the Senate is one of Chile's democratic institutions. But the spokesman said Chile is willing to maintain good relations with Venezuela, despite Mr. Chavez's comments.
Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.
