From ft.com via news.google.com:
Speculation mounted in the afternoon that Mr Chávez, who cancelled a scheduled visit to Costa Rica, was close to decreeing a state of emergency or a suspension of constitutional liberties. Business and union leaders jointly announced the indefinite strike, arguing that the government had failed to present solutions to the economic crisis, particularly the situation at the state oil company.
There were also signals that the armed forces may have pressed for Mr Chávez to resign. Brigadier-general Nestor González, the highest ranking officer in the army to criticise the president publicly, said Mr Chávez was the cause of the escalating political crisis.
To the Chavez watcher, Chavez has been pushing the opposition to the edge, while at the same time strenghening his powers, placing his marxist friends and allies in military and political slots and inciting the Bolivarian Chavistas to attack any opposition protests. I believe he has every intention of taking total control. Does he have all his commie ducks in a row? I don't know.