Former Defense Minister General Raúl Isaías Baduel is doubtful that local elections are to be held next November, as scheduled, reported Colombian daily newspaper El Tiempo.

"I am having doubts about the elections being held in the planned time," Baduel told the newspaper during an interview. The retired general, on visit to Colombia, denounced the attempts to kill him and declared himself the victim of judicial chasing in Venezuela, AFP quoted.

Without delving into the reasons, Baduel said that while the polls will be deferred, "this is not the final solution for the Venezuelan people."

He stressed also that he had no intention to become a candidate. "At this current time, I have not acceptance; of course, not even by (President Hugo) Chávez or the leaders who continuously oppose him," he said to substantiate his decision.

The general regretted the opinion that Venezuelan military officers are indulgent towards the Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC).