Venezuela's foreign ministry has rejected an Israeli allegation that it has become Iran's 'forward base' in Latin America.

The ministry slammed what it called 'aggression against its people' after Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said Venezuela was Iran's top ally in Latin America.

According to the Venezuelan statement, the Israeli remarks were a 'sign of the vile, meddling and aggressive attitude' of Israel.

Caracas severed ties with Tel Aviv in January 2009 in response to Israel's three-week-long all-out offensive on the Gaza Strip, which claimed the lives of over 1,400 Palestinians and left thousands of others injured.

HRF/SC/AKM