Chavez criticizes Queen Elizabeth over Britain oil exploration

Tension is growing ever greater between Britain and Argentina over London's plans to explore for oil near disputed islands in the South Atlantic. Venezuela is supporting Argentina in the dispute.

President Hugo Chavez again criticized Britain over the exploration on Sunday -- this time appealing directly to Queen Elizabeth.

The islands are located about three hundred miles off Argentina's coast. Argentina calls them Las Malvinas -- in Britain they are known as the Falkland Islands.

Britain claims sovereignty over them and says it's legitimate for its oil companies to explore there.

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez speaks during his weekly broadcast "Alo Presidente" in Merida February 21, 2010. REUTERS/Miraflores Palace/Handout