Witnesses from dozens of countries, including Colombia, Vietnam and Cuba, argued their cases against the alleged "imperialist" foreign policies of the US before the jury.
Thousands of young men and women from leftist groups participating in the world youth festival cheered when the judge on Sunday read the verdict ending the two-day trial: "Condemned, for crimes against humanity."
"We declare President George W. Bush in particular as guilty, of being directly responsible for the crimes," said Venezuelan Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel as he continued to read the verdict.
The mock trial was part of the festival, hosted by Venezuela and held under the slogan "Against Imperialism and War." Events included debates and forums on issues ranging from proposals for wiping out poverty to aiding alternative media to opposing US imperialism worldwide.
Witnesses at the trial held in a Caracas stadium pointed to the war in Iraq, Washington's financial support for the Colombian government's fight against Marxist rebels and US economic policies that often leave many developing nations in poverty as evidence of crimes committed by Bush.
Chavez, a self-proclaimed "revolutionary" who has become one of Latin America's most outspoken critics of US foreign policy, was the last witness called to the stand.
The Venezuelan leader said the Bush administration was behind a short-lived 2002 coup and devastating 2003 strike, both of which failed to oust him as planned. He also accused US officials of planning his assassination.
"If something happens to me ... they are the ones to blame," said Chavez, who referred to the US as "The Empire" throughout a marathon speech.
Officials in Washington have repeatedly rejected the allegations.
Chavez urged the crowd to embrace socialism while developing plans to defeat US imperialism saying "a better world is possible by committing ourselves to the fight."
"We must design anti-imperialist strategies," he added.
The crowd waved flags and held signs praising Cuban leader Fidel Castro and Chinese revolutionary Mao Zedong (
While tensions have grown between Caracas and Washington, Chavez has built close ties with countries from Iran to China.
Chavez said US officials want him removed from office because they oppose his efforts toward Latin American integration, which oil-rich Venezuela has led by offering petroleum at preferential prices to nations in the region.
Venezuela has remained a steady oil supplier to the US despite rising tensions. But Chavez warned Sunday the daily 1.5 million barrel supply to US ports could be halted if US "aggressions" against his government continue.
"Ships filled with Venezuelan oil, instead of going to the US, could go somewhere else," Chavez said, adding "the US market is not indispensable" for Venezuela.
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