Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez blames the US for protests in Tibet ahead of Olympic Games, calling it a try to divide the Asian giant.

In comments reported by his press office on Sunday, Chavez said the protests were an example of the US "going against China, trying to divide the Asian powerhouse."

Chavez asserts Washington favors a multi-polar world to balance US dominance.


Some other Latin American countries also see the Tibetan independence movement led by the Dalai Lama as a pro-US group of conservative monks.

Initially led by monks, the protests began on March 10, the anniversary of a failed uprising in 1959 against the Chinese rule, and then spiraled out of control in the Tibetan capital Lhasa, claiming at least 19 lives.

RZS/PA