Venezuelan Vice-President José Vicente Rangel rebutted Wednesday an agreement reached by Eastern Caribbean rulers to condemn formally the Venezuelan claim the waters surrounding Aves Island, and hinted that the United State is possibly behind the action.

"Venezuela has been exercising sovereignty since about 1800. I think that the empire's long arm is involved in this mobilization around Aves Island," Rangel said.

The action will help "to prove (...) if we have a truly Venezuelan opposition or a transnational opposition."

"It is possible that they take sides with those who deny Venezuelan sovereignty on Aves Island," the senior official added.