OTTAWA — The government of Hugo Chavez has responded to Canadian criticism it was “shrinking democratic space” in Venezuela by saying it will take no lessons from an “ultraright” government that “closed” Parliament to avoid an investigation into the handling of Afghan detainees.

In statements made this past Wednesday during a meeting of the Organization of American States, Venezuela’s ambassador to the organization, Roy Chaderton Matos, accused the Canadian government of supporting “coup-plotters” and “destabilizers” seeking to upend the South American country.

“I am talking of a Canada governed by an ultraright that closed its Parliament for various months to (evade) an investigation over the violation of human rights — I am talking about torture and assassinations — by its soldiers in Afghanistan,” said Chaderton.

In reality, the allegations over Canadian soldiers’ handling of detainees in Afghanistan have actually focused on whether Canadian troops handed prisoners over to Afghan authorities despite knowing the prisoners might be tortured.

During his weekly television broadcast Sunday, Chavez praised Chaderton’s statements on Canada.

Chaderton was reacting specifically to a news release issued Jan. 28 by Peter Kent, minister of state for the Americas, after a trip to Venezuela.

Kent said Canada was concerned over the Chavez regime’s decision to suspend the licences of several cable television stations and over the deaths of two students during protests.

“These events are further evidence of a shrinking democratic space in Venezuela,” said Kent, in the release. “During my recent visit to Venezuela, I heard many individuals and organizations express concerns related to violations of the right to freedom of expression and other basic liberties.”

Kent, a former television reporter, was labelled an “ultraright” journalist by Chaderton, who said the Conservative minister had no interest in hearing from his government during a visit last month to Venezuela. He said scheduling conflicts also prevented Kent from meeting with senior officials in the Chavez government.

“In reality he had no interest in talking with my government, just with the opposition to animate them and offer support — among them the coup plotters and destabalizers,” said Chaderton.

Chaderton said the Venezuelan government is also concerned about the death of the two students, who were government supporters gunned down by government opponents.

On Sunday, Chavez praised Chaderton’s response to Canada, saying the dead students were “revolutionary” youth.

“And after they are dead, they use them against us,” said Chavez.

Chaderton said that Venezuela was trying to “maximize” liberty and human rights and offered to help Canada alleviate the poverty facing its First Nations.

“In this movie the government of Canada has placed itself on the side of the bandits,” he said.

Kent’s office could not immediately be reached for comment Sunday.

jbarrera@canwest.com