[Cincinatus' Wife]

They are violent and Chavez's backing has made them bold and dangerous. They've attacked anyone who's tried to march in protest. It has a chilling effect on dissent. Chavez has entrenched himself with new laws, new constitution, new schools (Bolivarian curriculum praising him), hand-picked judiciary, lock-step congress, the whole nine yards. Any protest against Chavez's rule by Venezuelans, is greeted by brick weilding (and now it seems gun toting) Chavistas.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Venezuelans clash in Barquisimeto, March 20, 2002. Supporters and opponents of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez clashed in Venezuela Wednesday, fighting running street battles in a western city and skirmishing with punches, sticks and stones outside the presidential palace in Caracas. REUTERS/Juan Perez/El Impulso