Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez on Wednesday blasted U.S. President George W. Bush as a meddling "Emperor of Evil" who was backing his opponents ahead of an August referendum on his rule. Chavez, a populist ex-army officer who often locks horns with Washington, condemned Bush for urging transparency in the Aug. 15 recall to decide whether to end his presidency of the world's No. 5 oil exporter. Since Chavez survived a brief 2002 coup, he has often blamed the United States for supporting his opponents in an attempt to overthrow him and end his self-styled revolution for the poor. U.S. officials deny those charges. "You see how now the Emperor of Evil has spoken from Washington giving orders," Chavez said. The U.S. president on Monday called for an "honest and fair" referendum and backed calls for international observers to be allowed free access to the voting process.[more]