By James Ingham

BBC News, Caracas



Chavez has been keen to mobilise anti-US opinion in the region

The vehemently anti-US leader says Nicaragua, Bolivia, Cuba and Dominica should create one united force.

Mr Chavez, a long time critic of what he sees as US imperialism, made the comments after a summit of its leaders.

Despite constant US denials, Mr Chavez is convinced it poses a serious threat to South and Central America.

Venezuela's socialist leader has long been a critic of what he sees as US imperialism.

He has recently accused the country of trying to destabilise the region by forging stronger links with Colombia.

Mr Chavez has some key allies in his fight against capitalism, globalisation and the US.

Bolivia, Cuba, Nicaragua and now the Caribbean island of Dominica are all members of a trade alliance known as the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas, a group that takes its name from South America's independence leader, Simon Bolivar.

Mr Chavez has urged them to draw up a joint defence policy and create a united military force against US imperialism.

"If the US threatens one of us, it threatens all of us," he said, "we will respond as one."