Peruvian leaders cry foul as Chávez exports healthcare

· 400,000 Latin Americans take up free surgery offer
· Humanitarian schemes are political front, says Lima

A scheme called Misión Milagro - Mission Miracle - had flown them here from Peru for free surgery which would transform their lives

elderly visitors, all visually impaired and in some cases blind, shuffled out slowly and carefully

Mission Miracle has helped 400,000 impoverished Latin Americans see again and cast Venezuela's revolutionary leader as the region's humanitarian benefactor

Chávez is trying to export populist leftwing rebellions and further tilt the region away from US influence

allegations that Chávez is trying to destabilise one of South America's few centre-right governments

There is an unashamed political tinge to the eye-surgery visits to Caracas

Patients are greeted at the airport by officials wearing T-shirts with revolutionary slogans and ushered aboard red buses

"We're all Chavistas on this bus. Viva Humala!"