Hugo Chavez Withdraws Custody Lawsuit Against Ex-Wife

CARACAS, Venezuela – Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is withdrawing a lawsuit against his ex-wife involving their 10-year-old daughter, saying he does not want to become a spectacle in a legal battle.

Chavez says ex-wife Marisabel Rodriguez has prevented him from seeing their daughter, Rosines. Venezuela's president says he will attempt to resolve the dispute without taking Rodriguez to court.

Rodriguez denies that she has not permitted the president to visit their daughter.

Chavez accused Rodriguez on Sunday of trying to put Rosines in the middle of what he called "a media show."

Rodriguez said last week that she was consulting with her lawyer after a court notified her of the suit. She declined to give details.