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Venezuelan Troops Fight Chavez Supporters *** CARACAS, Venezuela - Venezuela troops fought pitched street battles Friday with supporters of President Hugo Chavez who tried to disrupt an opposition rally in an impoverished area of Caracas considered a government stronghold. At least three people were injured. Troops in armored vehicles arrived at the scene while "Chavistas," as the president's supporters are known, fought back, throwing bottles, rocks and firecrackers at security forces.

Hundreds of national guard troops and police in riot gear launched tear gas grenades to disperse more than 100 rowdy government backers. Columns of black smoke rose from tires burning in the street and mingled with thick clouds of white tear gas. One police officer was wounded by gunfire from an unknown source and two others were hurt by rocks, said Pedro Aristimuno, the city's health secretary. The tear gas forced the evacuation of 25 children from a nearby hospital, he added. ***

Behind Brazil's Leftist Leader, a Kindred Spirit Thrives***"All the cabinet requests and bureaucratic procedures go through his office," he said, as well as negotiations with Congress and state governors.

Mr. da Silva's confidence in him is such that Mr. Dirceu exercises more authority than any chief of staff since the military dictatorship from 1964 to 1985. Mr. Dirceu balks at comparisons with the military government, noting that he has been an elected state legislator and a member of Congress and that he "lost an election for governor" of São Paulo, the country's largest state.

But his power has also been enhanced by Mr. da Silva's governing style. In contrast to his predecessor, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, "who wanted to be minister of everything," but very much like Ronald Reagan, Mr. da Silva "likes to talk about the big issues, mobilizing people, rather than getting involved with the minutiae," said Alexandre Barros, a political analyst here.***