It was more like street riots and looting by Chavez's armed thugs, called Chavistas. Ordinary citizens are arming themselves and prepared to barracade themselves in their homes.
Opponents of President Hugo Chavez protest against the president in La Guaira, in Venezuela's Vargas state, about 30 kilometers, 18 miles from Caracas, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2002. The sign at bottom right reads: We are soldiers of Peace. (AP Photo/Leslie Mazoch)
National Guards throw tear gas to stop a march in protest against Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in La Guaira, Vargas State, about 30 kilometers (18 miles) from Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2002. The National Guard eventually allowed the march to continue.(AP Photo/Pedro Rey, Notitarde)