1 million swarm Caracas roads to demand Chavez's resignation - Chavez calls them "confused"

Houston Chronicle ^ | December 15, 2002 | Houston Chronicle News Services

[Cincinatus' Wife]

CARACAS, Venezuela -- In the opposition's biggest show of force since it launched a crippling general strike, more than 1 million Venezuelans poured into the streets of the capital Saturday to demand the resignation of President Hugo Chavez.

Chanting "Let him leave today," protesters filled bridges, overpasses and parks along Caracas' busiest highway, carrying giant Venezuelan flags, blowing whistles and chanting anti-Chavez slogans.

Caracas Fire Chief Rodolfo Briseno said more than 1 million people were demonstrating in what he called "the biggest march we've seen in recent times."

"This response should bring the head of state to make the decision he needs to make about Venezuela's crisis -- and that is none other than to leave, quit, so Venezuela can restore confidence, peace and calm," opposition leader Carlos Ortega said.

As the protest raged, Chavez and his government rejected a Bush administration call for early elections to resolve the political turmoil. Government officials said an early election, as demanded by the opposition, would be in violation of the country's constitution, which permits a binding referendum on the president's rule no earlier than August.

"I think they have not properly evaluated Venezuelan affairs," Chavez said of the Bush administration in an interview with CNN en Español, the network's Spanish-language service that is broadcast in Latin America. "They are confused. We will have to send them a copy of the constitution."

The demonstration was peaceful. Protesters marched with their children, or their dogs.

But the government, the opposition and international mediators have warned that riots could break out any day as the 13-day-old strike makes food, cash and transportation increasingly scarce -- and makes Venezuelans more polarized.

Dozens of Chavez supporters protested outside a shuttered bank Saturday, demanding it open its doors and cash their checks, as 20 police officers in riot gear blocked them.

Efforts sponsored by the Organization of American States to head off violence have produced no results. The opposition says it will continue its protest until Chavez steps down or calls elections; Chavez says he will do neither.

The strike has crippled Venezuela's oil industry -- the world's fifth-largest -- rattling international markets and its chief petroleum customer, the United States. Crude output has fallen from about 3 million barrels a day to 550,000.

The protesters overwhelmed the key highway in downtown Caracas. Last week, a smaller group of protesters blocked the same stretch of highway, and national guard troops broke up their demonstration with tear gas and rubber bullets.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Tens of thousands of Venezuelans opposed to President Hugo Chavez rally in Caracas, December 14, 2002. Chavez's opponents, who blame him for pushing Venezuela into recession and political chaos, launched a strike seeking to pressure him to resign or call early election. REUTERS/Chico Sanchez

Hugo Chavez - Venezuela

[Cincinatus' Wife]

***As the protest raged, Chavez and his government rejected a Bush administration call for early elections to resolve the political turmoil. Government officials said an early election, as demanded by the opposition, would be in violation of the country's constitution, which permits a binding referendum on the president's rule no earlier than August.

"I think they have not properly evaluated Venezuelan affairs," Chavez said of the Bush administration in an interview with CNN en Español, the network's Spanish-language service that is broadcast in Latin America. "They are confused. We will have to send them a copy of the constitution." ***

The Bush administration isn't confused.

Chavez is whistling past the graveyard.

[Robert_Paulson2]

Ominous.

Dangerous.

God help them.

A Madman is President.

Sounds a little like here, back two and a half years ago...

[Eva]

Our friend in Venezuela sent his wife back to the states last week because he fears that the airports will run out of jet fuel soon, making it difficult to leave the country should the need arise.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

I think it's time for Chavez to fly out of town.

Member of opposition of President Hugo Chavez waving the national flag during a rally against him at a highway in Caracas, Venezuela, Dec 14, 2002. Chanting 'Let him leave today,' protesters filled bridges, overpasses and parks along Caracas' busiest highway, carrying giant Venezuelan flags, blowing whistles and chanting anti-Chavez slogans. Participants estimated the crowd at more than 1 million people.(AP Photo/Gregorio Marrero)

[ex-Texan]

Mark my words: Next he will ordering his Army to fire on peaceful demonstators. Expect that to happen soon.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

SITUATION REPORTS - December 13 2002*** 18:10 GMT - Caracas daily TalCual reports that refining units at Petroleos de Venezuela's (PDVSA) El Palito refinery have suffered substantial damage as a result of failed efforts by unqualified personnel to restart the facility. Unleaded gasoline stocks have been contaminated with leaded gasoline, which means that thousands of vehicles that operate with unleaded gasoline will be damaged in coming days.***

[Ken in Eastman]

Does everyone realize what percentage of our oil comes from Venezuala? I believe it is 9%.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

He's already armed the Chavista street thugs. I think if he orders the military to fire on the people, they will refuse. Even though he purged the military the last time he ordered them to turn on the people and they refused, I think he knows in his wicked heart they will not. That's the reason for the terror tactics of his Chavistas.

[friendly]

Hugo Chavez has two jobs: Venezuelan strongman and Cuban First Lady.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Troubles in Venezuela crimp gasoline supply -Pump prices may head up - or not*** The wholesale markets were reacting not only to Venezuela's woes but to news that Saudi Arabia will cut back on January crude output, to reports of a problem with a catalytic cracker in Valero's Texas City refinery, and the typical pre-weekend jitters when the war drums are beating, he said. Companies with significant exposure to Venezuelan crude reductions include the Lyondell-Citgo refining joint venture in Houston, Murphy Oil, Exxon Mobil, Valero, ChevronTexaco and ConocoPhillips, according to Tyler Dann, analyst for Banc of America Securities. Tulsa, Okla.-based Citgo, owned by the Venezuelans, is one of the nation's biggest gasoline marketers. The situation in Venezuela is so serious that Dann wouldn't be surprised to see the United States shipping gasoline there.**

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Ouch.

The truth hurts.

[1rudeboy]

They are confused.

No we are not, Mr. Chavez. You can confuse CNN, and you can confuse the Houston Chronicle, but you cannot confuse us.

Chavez praises 'advanced' constitution [BBC]

[Cincinatus' Wife]

July 5, 2001- - Chavez Asks World to Respect Venezuelan Revolution***Foreign and local critics of the left-leaning Venezuelan leader, who has vowed to bring social justice to his oil-rich but poverty-plagued nation through a ``peaceful revolution,'' have accused him of moving toward authoritarian rule. His popularity remains high, but opponents cite his actions over the last two years during which he toppled an opposition-controlled Congress, rewrote the constitution, purged the judiciary and gained power to legislate by decree.***

Well his popularity has tanked.

When he couldn't take over by coup, Chavez took over with a campaign of lies. After he won he pushed through a constitution to cement his dictatorship.

[Robert_Paulson2]

The army will not fire on a crowd that large.
It's their family.

Chavez may be going, sooner than later.

Lord help em, they need a regime change.

stay safe.

[Robert_Paulson2]

fwiw... how many people are their in Venezuela? 20 million?

over one mill would mean that a LOT of them are determined that the spoiled brat president, needs to relocate to cuba... where uncle fidel has a nice bedroom for him, adjoining the master suite.

Chavez needs to consider the benefits of cuban cigars, and vacate the premises... in Venezuela.

I would love to wake up tomorrow morning with the GREAT news that Chavez has voluntarily resigned and that elections are being scheduled for later this month.

ahh... one can always hope.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

The press often refers to Venezuela as a country of 23 million, where 80% live in poverty. But I don't think Chavez is viewed with pleasure by many.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez marches next to a presidential guard at Miraflores Presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2002. (AP Photo/Juan Carlos Solorzano, Miraflores)

Does Chavez worry about his presidential guard?

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Carrying a large banner that reads 'Damn the soldier who turn his weapon on his people,' tens of thousands of Venezuelans opposed to President Hugo Chavez march during the continuation of nationwide strike, in Caracas December 14, 2002. Chavez's opponents, who blame him for pushing Venezuela into recession and political chaos, launched the strike seeking to pressure him to resign or call early elections. REUTERS/Chico Sanchez

[Caipirabob]

I think it's time for Chavez to fly out of town.

Better a window.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

That'll do.