Chavez calls ethanol production 'crime'

CARACAS — Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says a U.S. push to boost ethanol production during a world food crisis is a "crime."

The socialist leader says he is concerned that so much U.S.-produced corn could be used to make biofuel, instead of feeding the world's poor.

Chavez said Saturday that the corn needed to fill an average car with ethanol would be enough to feed seven people for a year.

Venezuela has pledged to donate more than 350 metric tons (385 U.S. tons) of food to Haiti, where soaring food prices provoked deadly riots earlier this month.