DUSHANBE , July 24, 2008, Asia -Plus - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has flatly denied reports that he suggested deploying a Russian military base in Veneuzela. during his recent visit to Moscow . He arrived in Portugal late on Wednesday. He said the words that were being ascribed to him were wrong.

Chavez descrivbed these reports as part of a media war. "We travel around the globe and they plant ambushes for us," the Venezuelan leader stressed.

"Today, the news that I had allegedly offered Moscow to deploy a base with Russian troops in Venezuela flew the world. It is as wrong as it would be if I had said that the sun was shining.

Chavez will stay in Portugal until Thursday. He will leave for Spain the next day.