Caracas, May 20 (Prensa Latina) Attempts to avoid the extradition request of terrorist of Cuban origin Luis Posada Carriles received a strong response from Venezuela, which accused the US of protecting terrorists.

Addressing his cabinet at the city of Cumana on Thursday, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez asserted the violation of immigration law charge pressed against Posada Carriles constituted a mockery to the world.

We are dealing with an assassin and a fugitive of justice, responsible for the death of 73 people, said Chavez.

Now the US has become the protector of international terrorism, added the Bolivarian leader, who described the tactic to avoid the extradition request as a "puerile excuse."

Chavez recalled that declassified documents proved the US administration was aware of preparations to blow up the Cuban airliner when George W Bush, senior, ran the Central Intelligence Agency.

When Bush became US president, he pardoned Orlando Bosch, another terrorist of Cuban origin involved in the sabotage against the plane. Now Bush, junior, is following daddy´s footsteps, he denounced.

Such a terrorist and murderer, and the hypocritical US government is saying he will only be tried for illegally entering the US. The Venezuelan statesman assured this is a cynical.

Backing Chavez´ remarks, Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel noted the Posada case demonstrated "the permanent double moral and tow of the Bush family, which is connected with the worst causes and terrorist activities."