CARACAS, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez proposed a free trade agreement for Latin America when he was interviewed Sunday on his weekly television program, Alo Presidente.

    The Venezuelan government had already begun working on the project, which had nothing to do with the U.S.-advocated scheme for a Free Trade Area of the Americas, said Chavez.

    While Venezuela was helping the poorest people, the United States was intending to push forward a trade agreement which would harm the interests of poor people and increase their dependence on the United States, he said.

    The United States was attempting to build a colonial system, while Venezuela was aiming to set up a free and just trading system in Latin America, he added. Enditem