Belarus dictator proclaims solidarity with Chavez

Europe's "last dictator" proclaimed solidarity with Hugo Chavez after the Venezuelan strongman's two-day visit to Minsk.

"They are trying to impose on us an alien ideology and morals, pseudo-economic reforms resulting in the population growing poor for the sake of a bunch of fat cats," said Belarusan leader Aleksandr Lukashenko said of the United States.

"Lukashenko . . . said Belarus and Venezuela had many common interests and one main goal: to raise their living standards and ensure peaceful conditions to implement creative plans," according to RIA-Novosti.

"He said when people opposed this tendency, the country was usually accused of a lack of democracy and human rights abuses."

Standing with Lukashenko, Chavez said, "After a day of intensive work, we have created a strategic alliance between our countries," Reuters reports. "It is absolutely vital to protect our homeland, to guard against internal and external threats."

"The jaws of imperialism and hegemonism have both us and Belarus in their grip."