Venezuelans Circle Wagons Amid Coup Jitters

CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) - Carlos, a Venezuelan computer engineer, beefed up his home security with razor wire and a steel door after April's coup against President Hugo Chavez unleashed a frenzy of looting and sent pro-government gangs roaming through Caracas.

But the father of two, sporting glasses and a Windows 2000 shirt, has a few extra surprises planned for the armed thugs he fears might breach the apartment's new security gate bent on robbery and political revenge.

"I've thought about preparing flammable alcohol and acid to throw down the stairs," said Carlos, who would only give his first name. "I'd have to come out and defend my building."

Fears of more political violence have middle-class and wealthy Venezuelans scurrying to buy weapons, stock up on supplies and fortify their homes as they fret over another military rebellion and attacks by the president's supporters.

Security hysteria has seized parts of the capital. In plush apartment complexes, lawyers and executives form committees to repel marauding gangs and housewives bombard police officials with queries about tear gas and Molotov cocktails.

"In my office, in the last four weeks, people have bought about 10 shotguns and enough ammunition to keep fighting for months. I'm talking about a type of collective panic," said Jose, a Caracas financial advisor.

In a nation already deeply split between rich and poor, April's coup has further fractured Venezuela as Chavez looks to his stronghold in the barrios while his opposition holds rallies in wealthy and middle-class eastern Caracas.

Chavez, ousted for about 48 hours by rebel military and civilian leaders before loyal troops restored him to power, has since promised reconciliation with his political foes.

But talks between president's critics and supporters have descended into squabbling. Opposition leaders are now testing constitutional mechanisms or possible indictments to oust the president. Most measures are lengthy or fraught with legal obstacles.

At least 17 people were killed when gunmen opened fire on an anti-government march hours before April's uprising and about 50 more people died when pockets of looting and rioting broke out in Central Caracas.

Since his election in 1998, Chavez has faced growing criticism that his left-leaning social reforms and economic policies have nudged the world's fifth largest oil exporter into recession and split the nation along class lines.

With a platform of reform, Chavez tapped into Venezuela's frustration with inefficiency and corruption. Millions of poorer voters still see him as the path to a better life.

But his fiery rhetoric, often delivered in five-hour long monologues, has riled opponents with jibes aimed at the "oligarchs" he blames for monopolizing the nation's wealth.

Now, many Venezuelans worry the outspoken leader will drag the nation into a Cuban-style state with tighter media control, "revolutionary" land reform, and an increased government grip over the strategic oil industry.

Political fissures are most evident in the capital, where crowded, crime-ridden slums sprawl over green hillsides in a tight ring of poverty around well-guarded and moneyed suburbs. Frequent protest marches clamor for Chavez's resignation even as his supporters take to the streets in his defense.

Jitters over more political upheaval have provoked uncomfortable memories of February 1989, when the poor slum-dwellers descended into Caracas to loot in protest of gasoline price hikes. At least 300 people were killed in the rioting known as the "Caracazo," which Chavez defended as a popular uprising. Many believe the death toll was much higher.

In a tense political climate, opponents of the president say they fear attacks by so-called "Bolivarian Circles," the pro-government groups critics claim are armed shock troops used to terrorize the president's foes.

"We've talked between us about what to do if the Bolivarian Circles come, how to barricade the gates, how to form a guard between the people who are armed," said Juan, a businessman, who was practicing target shooting at a local gun club.

Chavez has called for peace and urged his opponents not to arm themselves for a civil war. Government officials insist the circles -- named after 19th century South American hero Simon Bolivar -- are social committees to aid the poor with health and education programs.

"These are our only weapons, said Gabriela Pastor, leader of a Caracas circle, holding up copy of the constitution and a manual used by the groups. "How many cartridges do they hold?"

Fueling fears of another military uprising, a video broadcast last month showed hooded figures who claimed to be dissident army officers. Dressed in camouflage uniforms and carrying ceremonial swords, they criticized Chavez, praised the April coup and warned of a civil war.

Government officials dismissed rumors of another coup as propaganda by the president's foes. But high-ranking military officials have testified about seething discontent in the ranks over attempts to squeeze out anti-Chavez officers.

Uncertain about the loyalties of the police and armed forces, the capital's well-to-do are preparing for the worst.

Trying to calm frayed nerves, neighborhood associations and police officials are advising residents on setting up committees armed only with walkie-talkies, whistles and plans to deal with earthquakes, mudslides and home invasions.

But building owners have tightened security with more electric fencing and private guards, and in one apartment, even a roadblock of logs entangled in barbed wire and broken glass.

"In case of incursions into the building: Don't Panic, move to upper floors," advises a communique passed to residents in one building. "In case of gunfire, don't panic, safeguard the children, advise those residents who are armed."

One middle-class residence has a three-stage plan: stage green for a coup, stage yellow when looters take to the streets and stage red when rioters breach the building. A wall of parked cars will block looters from the entrance. Others are prepared to douse petrol bombs with bags of sand.

Despite official calls for calm, Caracas armories say sales of guns, pepper sprays and alarms have rocketed.

"After the coup, with all the rumors, sales have climbed in a way that I couldn't even exaggerate. People who have never seen weapons, who never even thought about buying a weapon, are coming out to buy them," said Alexander Gamarra, manager of Pistolshot armory.

"I'm really nervous about what's happening," said Enrique, a 36-year-old attorney in a sharp suit and tie who was pricing six-cartridge shotguns. "This is just in case I can't get away and I have to defend myself."

It sounds like the city has become an armed camp.

Most customers purchase $500-$600 shotguns to avoid a long waiting period and stricter licensing requirements for handguns. But a recent government disarmament program, aimed at cutting violent crime, has gun owners edgy they may be forced to hand in weapons when they feel they need them most. "I'm really nervous about what's happening," said Enrique, a 36-year-old attorney in a sharp suit and tie who was pricing six-cartridge shotguns. "This is just in case I can't get away and I have to defend myself."

I don't think they're going to give up their protection.

Good morning, CW.

The thing that had a great effect against the looters and other undesirables in Panama City as Noriega and his goons were being ousted were the armed citizens. The citizens barricaded the entrances to their neighborhood streets, stood watch from their apartments, and anything that moved out in the street was met with a hail of gunfire. There were a few errors made; but hey, that was just friendly fire. It happens in war.

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