CARACAS - Venezuela President Hugo Chavez on Sunday acknowledged that Cuban officials are involved in Venezuela's armed forces, but refused to provide details.

"There is a mechanism of military cooperation" between Venezuela and Cuba, Chavez said, responding to a question from a reporter. "But I'm not going to get specific."

The president's comments come after a former Venezuelan army general created a stir by claiming widespread involvement by Cuban military officials in Venezuela's armed forces.

Gen. Antonio Rivero, who retired last month, said on April 22 that Cuban troops are not only involved in the training of Venezuelan soldiers, but also take part in areas such as intelligence operations and communications.

Rivero also said Cuban officials are privy to top-secret Venezuela intelligence data that should never be shared with other countries.

Chavez defended his country's diverse links with fellow-socialist nation Cuba, and said such ties should not be cause for concern.

"Everything Cuba does for Venezuela is to strengthen Venezuela," he said.

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