A Christian missionary group that has been converting Indians in Venezuela has been ordered out of the country by President Hugo Chavez.

In a televised speech at an Indian village, Chavez accused the New Tribes Mission of building luxurious camps next to impoverished Indian communities and circumventing customs authorities by flying planed in and out of the country. He called on the "colonialism" to stop.

Chavez also said some of the group's members are spying for the CIA and gave the CIA information while he was attending the Day of Indigenous Resistance on Wednesday, October 12. On that day, Chavez recognized indigenous title for several tribes.

The group denies spying for the CIA and said it has only been setting up churches in Venezuela. The group hopes to convince Chavez to change his mind.

Get the Story:
Venezuela's Chavez orders Christian organization to leave (The Orlando Sentinel 10/13)
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Venezuela VP Defends Missionary Expulsion (AP 10/13)
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A mission agency gets wind of a surprise announcement in Venezuela (Mission News Network 10/14)

Relevant Links:
New Tribes Mission - http://www.ntm.org

Related Stories:
Venezuela returns title to indigenous groups (08/10)