Venezuela's Chavez loses governor ally

In a letter published in local media Monday, Falcon said it was impossible to have a "frank dialogue without intermediaries" with Chavez.

CARACAS, February 22, 2010 (AFP) - A state governor loyal to Hugo Chavez since the 1990s bolted the ruling party on Monday, slamming Venezuela's leftist president for not allowing subordinates to candidly express their views.

The walkout by Lara state governor Henri Falcon follows eight significant changes in Chavez' government over the past two months, and comes only seven months before critical legislative elections.

In a letter published in local media Monday, Falcon said it was impossible to have a "frank dialogue without intermediaries" with Chavez.

Falcon, 48, said he would remain as governor but was switching allegiance to the small leftist Fatherland for All Party from Chavez' United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), which he charged was being corroded by bureaucracy and nepotism.

"The relationship between a head of state and the governors and mayors cannot be limited to issuing instructions or orders without the least chance for us to compare points of view," Falcon added.

"The country's transformation cannot be carried out successfully if men and women in positions of responsibility are deprived of the possibility of being listened to," said Falcon.

Chavez came to prominence as a leader of the failed coup in 1992. After being imprisoned, he launched a campaign to win power through the ballot box and was elected in 1999.

But since winning a referendum that abolished term limits last year, Chavez has faced growing discontent over water and power shortages, spiralling crime and corruption.