Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, 2006 (Mario Tama, Getty Images)

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is trying to undermine efforts by Latin American leaders toward regional unity.

His remarks Thursday come a day after Clinton accused Chavez of limiting freedoms in Venezuela.

As Chavez spoke, Clinton was in Costa Rica to urge officials from 16 Central and South American nations to do more on democracy and development.

Chavez claimed that Clinton aims to sow discord within the region.

Costa Rica is the second to last stop on Clinton's weeklong, six-country tour of the region. She has visited Uruguay, Argentina, Chile and Brazil. She ends her trip on Friday in Guatemala.