CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says he has authorized Brazil's leader to raise the subject of Venezuela in talks with President Barack Obama this month.

U.S.-Venezuelan relations remain prickly despite the change of government in Washington, while Brazil's left-leaning president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, has maintained friendly relations both with U.S. leaders and with the socialist Chavez.

Silva plans to meet Obama on March 17 in Washington and Chavez said that the Brazilian leader "has been calling me, worried by these (U.S.) statements that have continued coming out, attacks against Venezuela." Chavez made the comments on state television Wednesday night.

Chavez has condemned recent U.S. State Department reports alleging human rights problems in Venezuela and a lack of cooperation in counter-drug efforts.

Chavez has said Washington will have to show more respect if relations are to improve. He clashed with former President George W. Bush and expelled the U.S. ambassador in September.

Chavez said that Silva asked "if I agree for him to talk about the subject of Venezuela." Chavez said he responded: "Talk about it."

Under Bush, U.S. officials often expressed concern about the health of democracy under Chavez — who last month won a vote to eliminate term limits.

Chavez said he has written to Silva saying the U.S. should stop "attacking countries like Venezuela using lies and cynicism."