Charges against Chavez aide dropped

The Supreme Court in Venezuela has dropped corruption allegations made against a close aide to the president who is one of the most powerful figures in the country.

The court said there were no grounds to investigate charges of influence-peddling made against the official, Luis Miquilena, who's currently serving as the head of Venezuela's temporary congress.

Mr Miquilena was accused of illegally granting lucrative government contracts to business partners and a company in which he holds shares. Expressing his satisfaction at the outcome, he said the allegations were part of a vendetta. Correspondents say government critics are likely to attack the ruling as further evidence of what they say is bias on the part of the judges, who were hand-picked by Mr Miquilena's governing coalition.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service