CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez
                  called on Monday for the creation of a unified Latin American military
                  organization modeled on NATO, although he acknowledged the idea
                  would alarm many people.

                  A former army colonel, Chavez said the military organization could exchange
                  information and technology on issues such as drug trafficking.

                  "Why, if there exists NATO, can we not have a Caribbean or South Atlantic
                  Treaty Organization?" Chavez said during a speech to mark the Andean
                  Parliament's 20th anniversary.

                  A left-leaning nationalist who shot to fame as the leader of a failed 1992
                  coup, Chavez has emerged as one of Latin America's most controversial and
                  colorful personalities since taking office in February.

                  Wildly popular at home, he has alarmed foreign investors and neighboring
                  countries with moves to rewrite the constitution and boost the role of the
                  military in the South American country of 23 million people.

                  He based his proposal for a Latin American NATO on the regional
                  integration philosophy of 19th century South American independence hero
                  Simon Bolivar, whom he frequently cites as his inspiration and ideological
                  mentor.

                  "It is a very, very serious proposal that will generate some rejection, some
                  alarm," he told reporters after the speech. "But I think the time has come to
                  leave our fears behind and establish a full integration for our countries."