ASSASSINATION plots, anti-American tub-thumping, failed coups and mutual hostility have been the staple of US relations with Cuba for nearly five decades.

But increasingly they apply more accurately to Venezuela, where Hugo Chávez, its president, is alarming Washington with a series of aggressive moves that threaten American security.

In recent months, Señor Chávez has threatened to cut off Venezuela’s substantial oil exports to the US — 1.5 million barrels a day — made a series of sizeable arms purchases, sought common bond with American foes around the world and generally positioned himself as the most significant anti-Bush figure in the western hemisphere.

Washington is sufficiently concerned to be reviewing its policies towards its near neighbour under the fiery-tongued and populist former paratroop commander.

Condoleezza Rice, the US Secretary of State, has branded Venezuela a “negative force in the region”. US officials are increasingly worried at what they perceive to be Señor Chávez’s creeping authoritarianism and military build-up, and believe it could destabilise the region. “We are concerned,” said one.

Meanwhile, Fidel Castro’s most recent contribution to local debate came during a generally upbeat 5¾ hour speech, two hours of which he devoted to the merits of the pressure cooker which he is distributing cut-price to all Cuban households.

Señor Chávez’s animus against the US stems partly from the 2002 coup, which briefly unseated him. Whether there was an American hand involved or not, the suspicions of many Venezuelans were fuelled by Washington’s failure to condemn the takeover.

Since seeing off a referendum to unseat him last year, Señor Chávez has gone out of his way to get under Washington’s skin, emerging as the biggest thorn in Uncle Sam’s side since Castro seized power in 1959.

He has called Mr Bush “stupid”, railed against the “evil empire”, accused the US of trying to kill him and made lewd references to Condoleezza Rice, the Secretary of State.

More significantly, Señor Chávez has muscled his way on to the world stage, travelling to Cuba, Libya and China, striking energy deals on his way.

He recently entertained President Khatami of Iran and pledged solidarity with “our brother people” there.

But it is Señor Chávez’s tangible effort to make himself into a new champion of rising Latin American leftism that is more unsettling for the US.

Venezuela, the world’s fifth largest oil exporter, is flush from record high prices and Mr Chávez has used much of the cash to go on a military shopping spree.

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