Chavez sharpens rhetoric for Bush duel at Summit of the Americas

CARACAS, Venezuela (AFP): Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is loudly gearing up for his next big battle with the United States, this time up close and personal with President George W. Bush at the Summit of the Americas.

Frequently seen as heir-apparent of anti-American imperialism crusader Fidel Castro of Cuba, who will be absent from the summit in Argentina this week, Chavez has unabashedly declared his intention to use the public forum to promote "21st century socialism."

"I see it already. The debate at Mar del Plata will be delicious," Chavez said on his weekly Sunday television show, "Hello President".