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.
Mr. Chavez "is still and for always" with the presidential palate (minister presidency)
Friday April 12, 2002 - 2h30 GMT
CARACAS, 11 avr (AFP) - the president vénézuélien Hugo Chavez "is still and for always with the presidential palate" of Miraflores in Caracas, and "the conspiracy of today fell through", declared with the AFP the Minister for the Secretariat to the presidency, Rafael Vargas, with 22H05 local (02H05 GMT).
In a maintenance by telephone on his portable, the minister ensured that "the staff of the four weapons, complete present at the palate of Miraflores, and all the officers who have a command support the head of the State".
Questioned on the rebellion Thursday of the commander of the Army, the General Efrain Vasquez, Mr. Vargas stressed that this one, which is not the head of the staff of this weapon, "did not have any command on the troop".
In connection with the bloody incidents of Thursday between demonstrators pro and anti-Chavez, who made at least nine died and several tens of casualties, the minister showed the police officers depending on the mayor of Large Caracas, Alfredo Pena (opposition), and other mayors of the district of the capital, to "avoir assassinated "the victims.
"They all were stopped, will be judged, and we will present them at television", it continued.