Representatives of the Puinare Tribe in Venezuela criticized President Hugo Chavez for ordering a Christian mission group to leave the country.

Jose Kayupare, a member of the tribe, said the Tribes Mission is not exploiting indigenous people as Chavez has claimed. "For those of us who live in the jungle, this really is a decision that the majority of indigenous people in Amazonas (state) don't support and that we are not going to accept under any circumstances," Kayupare said, the Associated Press reported.

Domingo Gonzalez, an indigenous Venezuelan working with the mission, said Chavez acted without consulting the tribe. "The indigenous Venezuelans need to be heard, not to be spoken for," he was quoted as saying.

Last week, Chavez accused the mission of exploiting Native people, ignoring national law and spying for the CIA. The group denies the charges.

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Venezuelans Blast Missionaries' Expulsion (AP 10/15)
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Relevant Links:
New Tribes Mission - http://www.ntm.org

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