The head of staff of the Army joint to the rebellion
Friday April 12, 2002 - 2h02 GMT
CARACAS, 11 avr (AFP) - the head of staff of the Army of Venezuela, the General Efrain Vasquez, joined Thursday evening the rebellion of several other officers of high row and asked so that the heads of garrison give an opinion with regard to president Hugo Chavez.
"This is not a coup d'etat, it is not insubordination, it is solidarity with the people vénézuélien", declared the Vasquez General, at the time of a press conference.
"the armed forces are not for attacking the people vénézuélien there. I order all to my commanders, who are my fortress and the fatherland, to fill their duty ", has it says, in reference to the incidental violent ones which marked the demonstrations of Thursday, making at least nine died and several tens of casualties.
Addressing itself to Mr. Chavez, it declared: "I was faithful to you until the end, I was useful to you until this afternoon, but deaths today cannot be tolerated".
"They oblige to me to make this decision. Generals made your duty (...) Today all the humans right were violated, of Vénézuéliens died because of the incapacity of dialogue of the government ", it denounced.
Tanks ring palace in Venezuela
(Caracas, Venezuela-AP) -- Tanks have taken up positions outside the presidential palace in Caracas, where at least 12 people have been killed in demonstrations demanding the resignation of the Venezuelan president.
Battles with police began after more than 150-thousand people marched on the palace. Nearly 100 people have been injured.
The demonstrators want President Hugo Chavez to step down. A general strike is gripping the country.
More than 40 military officers have declared themselves in rebellion against Chavez "for violating democratic principles, guarantees and the human rights of Venezuelans.''
The strike was called over new management at the state oil monopoly -- opponents claim the appointments were based on political considerations, not merit. A work slowdown has seriously cut production in Venezuela, which is a major oil exporter.