Venezuela's Maduro says U.S. 'far-right' wants to kill Capriles

CARACAS - Agence France-Presse

Handout picture released by the Venezuelan Presidency showing Venezuela acting President Nicolas Maduro driving a mini bus at the Military Academy where people are still queuing to see the body of late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, in Caracas, on March 11, 2013. Venezuela has entered a bitter election race to succeed Hugo Chavez, with his chosen successor Maduro branding his challenger Henrique Capriles a "fascist" after he accused him of exploiting the late leader's death. AFP photo

Venezuelan acting President Nicolas Maduro said on March 13 that "far right" figures in the United States were plotting to kill opposition leader Henrique Capriles. 

"We have detected plans by the far-right, linked to the groups of (former Bush administration officials) Roger Noriega and Otto Reich, to make an attempt against the opposition presidential candidate," Maduro said in a televised speech. 

Maduro gave no more details, but he said the government had sent a senior general to meet with Capriles' team. 

Tensions are running high ahead of a new presidential election following the death of Hugo Chavez last week. The vote will pit Maduro, Chavez's heir apparent, against Capriles, a centrist state governor who lost an election to Chavez in October. 

Earlier this week, Capriles' team said the opposition candidate had not registered his candidacy in person on Monday because they had received information that an attack against him was planned. Aides delivered his papers instead. 

In January, Maduro said unidentified groups had entered the South American country with the aim of assassinating him and the head of the National Assembly, Diosdado Cabello.