CARACAS - (AP) -- Venezuela's foreign minister said Wednesday that his country has repeatedly expressed its
                      interest in maintaining good relations with the United States, responding to U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell's
                      criticism of the administration.

                      ''We are satisfied to have developed a sovereign foreign policy . . . in which we have done nothing that can be
                      condemned by other countries,'' Luis Alfonso Davila told reporters Wednesday.

                      He added that Venezuela has ''expressed in multiple opportunities'' its commitment to ``preserve, guarantee and
                      deepen relations with the United States.''

                      On Tuesday, Powell said the United States was unhappy with comments made by President Hugo Chávez in
                      October, criticizing the U.S.-led bombing campaign in Afghanistan. On national television, Chávez said the ''killing
                      in Afghanistan must stop'' and held up pictures of dead Afghan children.

                      Washington condemned the remarks and called its ambassador back for consultations. Chávez later expressed
                      regrets for his comments and reiterated that Venezuela supported the war on terrorism by offering the United
                      States a steady supply of oil and cooperating on intelligence efforts.

                      Venezuela is among the top four suppliers of oil the United States. The two countries also cooperate closely on
                      anti-narcotics efforts.

                      Powell voiced concern about Chávez's visits to ''despotic'' regimes, referring the Venezuelan leader's 2000 visit to
                      Iraq and his several trips to Cuba and Libya. He added that Chávez is aware that his policies are a ``serious
                      irritant.''

                      Earlier Wednesday, Davila insisted Chávez's visits to U.S. foes are not meant to irritate the United States. He said
                      the visits are meant to promote Venezuelan interests and that Venezuela does not have to ''seek permission or
                      approval from any foreign state'' to make such trips.