Maduro slams Obama for trying to topple his gov't

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said Monday that the U.S. President Barack Obama has decided to topple his government and force a military intervention in this nation with the approval of sanctions and political measures. Soundbite (Spanish): Nicolas Maduro, Venezuelan president “President Barack Obama, representing the U.S. imperialist elite, has personally decided to take on the task of defeating my government and intervening in Venezuela to control it. That is the main reason for today’s sanctions and measures” He also hailed the seven officials sanctioned by the White House as "heroes," and named national intelligence chief Gustavo Gonzalez as new Interior Minister. On Tuesday, the Venezuelan president said he would ask the National Assembly, controlled by the ruling Socialists, to grant him decree powers to guarantee the "peace" of the nation and fight imperialism. Earlier Monday, Obama also declared a "state of emergency," citing the situation in Venezuela constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States, and the U.S. will take "further steps" in its relation with Venezuela. As counter measures, Maduro announced the reduction of U.S. embassy personnel in Caracas, a new visa system for all American tourists in Venezuela and an "anti-terrorist" list which banned several top U.S. politicians to enter this South American nation. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Caracas. (XHTV)