The embattled populist leader, who survived a brief coup in April, seemed bent on trying to defeat the strike and holding on to his 4-year-old rule of the world's No. 5 oil exporter.
But in another sign that the government was struggling to break the strike, authorities failed in a pre-dawn attempt on Sunday to replace the striking crew of an oil tanker anchored in the oil and shipping hub of Lake Maracaibo.
The navy put a replacement captain and crew aboard the Pilin Leon tanker, whose original captain joined the stoppage more than a week ago, triggering similar actions by other Venezuelan oil tanker captains.
But the replacements had to leave after lawyers representing the strikers discovered they were not qualified to operate the vessel. Several previous attempts to re-start strike-bound tankers, some involving troops, have also failed.
Piling pressure on Chavez, at least half a million Venezuelans took part in a huge opposition rally in east Caracas late Saturday, clamoring for Chavez to step down.
Some estimates put the crowd at over one million.
The huge protest followed a public call by the United States, the largest buyer of Venezuela's now disrupted oil exports, for Chavez to hold early elections. The leftist former army officer firmly rejected the U.S. call on Saturday.***
1 million swarm Caracas roads to demand Chavez's resignation - Chavez calls them "confused" - Some great pictures.
1. President Bush and VP Cheney are Republicans.
2. President Bush and VP Cheney worked in the oil industry.
3. Venezuela has oil
4. Huge rally to over throw Chavez's elected leftist government.
Therefore President Bush and VP Chency are RACIST, oh and it’s only about the oil.............and race.......and oil......and race.
-Shane
P.S.- See also the thread linked below here for latest updated Venezuela opposition events...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/806773/posts?