Venezuela’s president, Hugo Chávez, told US officials to "go to hell" for meddling in his country’s affairs. He also called US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice "missy" on his weekly radio and TV show. The outburst came after the US government had raised concerns about Chávez extending his lawmaking powers. Venezuela’s National Assembly is poised to approve an enabling law that would give Chávez the authority to pass a series of laws by decree during an 18-month period.