Goodwill tour Violent protests mar Bush visit

US President George W. Bush on Monday visited Guatemala where he discussed immigration and went sight-seeing at a Mayan site, as violent protests continued to dog his goodwill tour of Latin America.

Several people were injured as about 1,000 protesters, some armed with machetes, clashed with police outside the National palace where Bush held talks with President Oscar Berger.

Investment call

Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim, the world's third-richest man, called on US President George W. Bush on Monday to push more US investment in Latin America, where he is at odds with leftist leaders. Hours ahead of a visit by Bush to Mexico, Slim said more investment in the region would bring down US corporate costs and stem the flow of immigrants crossing into the United States.

Cleansing act

Indigenous Guatemalans said on Monday they would hold a spiritual cleansing rite after US President George W. Bush visited the sacred Iximche Mayan ruins.

About 50 local people evaded a security cordon to reach the entrance of the park around the ancient city founded in 1470 by the Kaqchikel Mayans.

Four were detained by police, according to the protesters, who said they would undertake the cleansing ritual to remove "bad spirits and bad energy" left by Bush at Iximche, 90km west of Guatemala City. Bush and his wife Laura visited the site with Guatemalan President Oscar Berger and his wife Wendy Berger.

'Most cynical'

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, shadowing his political foil US President George W. Bush on a tour of Western Hemisphere nations, said Bush represents the "most cynical, most murderous empire in all of history" but insisted he had nothing personal against him.