CARACAS, April 23 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan Minister of Light Industry and Trade Maria Cristina Iglesias announced on Sunday that her country had decided to withdraw from the Community of Andean Nations (CAN).

    The pullout would be "a long process" of about five years, she said, but adding that Venezuela's relationship with other CAN members -- Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia -- would remain unchanged.

    According to CAN regulations, if it chooses to exit, Caracas must respect for the next five years all customs and trade agreements signed with other member states.

    Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said the nation's decision to leave CAN was irrevocable, and CAN's collapse had been caused by Colombia and Peru, both of which have signed free trade agreements with the United States.

    On his Sunday radio and television program Alo Presidente, Chavez said he had made "a strategic decision to safeguard Venezuela's national interests," adding that his country could compete with "subsidized U.S. products."

    U.S. products would enter Venezuela through Colombia because of the CAN free trade pact, wrecking Venezuela's domestic development plans, Iglesias said.

    Venezuela has been promoting a trade pact called The Bolivarian Alternative, which Caracas says is based on socialist ideals. The country has also been seeking to join the Southern Common Market, which is made up of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.

    CAN member nations will meet on Wednesday to discuss the consequences of Venezuela's withdrawal.

    CAN was created by Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Chile in 1969, but Chile left five years later. Venezuela joined the regional trade bloc in 1978. Enditem