President Hugo Chavez condemned Venezuela's opposition on Friday for resorting to "fascist violence" in protesting constitutional changes that would greatly expand his power.

But Chavez did not respond to accusations that his government is responsible for the upheaval.

Portraying his political foes as anti-democratic right-wingers, Chavez accused opponents of seeking help from Washington and Venezuela's military.

"I urge the people of the right not to go down the fascist path," Chavez told state television from Santiago, Chile, where he was attending a summit of Latin American leaders. "They generally take the path of fascist violence and confront the laws and the people, and they are always looking to the Pentagon, high-ranking generals."