CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - U.S. actor Sean Penn is visiting Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez - again.

Venezuela's state-run news agency reports that Penn accompanied Chavez during the inspection of a natural gas pipeline on Sunday.

Chavez has praised Penn for his criticism of the U.S. war in Iraq, but he did not mention Penn's visit during a televised address. Nor did state media broadcast images of the Oscar-winning actor.

It was Penn's second meeting with Chavez. The actor also visited in August 2007, when he went as a freelance journalist.

Chavez has hosted visits by several Hollywood stars including actors Danny Glover and Kevin Spacey. British supermodel Naomi Campbell visited last year, expressing support for Chavez's efforts to help the poor.