Got your number ... Anti-Chavez demonstrators block a highway in eastern Caracas yesterday in a demonstration calling on the president to resign. Photo: AFP
Posted on 12/16/2002 2:08:00 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
...... Virtually all sectors agree the resulting stalemate cannot last much longer, but no one is willing to forecast how long it will go. ''Venezuelans are geniuses at ad hoc solutions,'' one U.S. official said. ``They can muddle through things in a pretty spectacular way.'' The tents and mattresses set up at Plaza Francia -- where dozens of protesters and dissident military officers are living -- are a sign of the kind of endurance that has marked Venezuela's political crisis.
ENEMY TIME
One of Chávez's biggest enemies may be time. ''Chávez isn't doing too badly with this strike. Each day the strike is getting weaker,'' said Janet Kelly, a political science professor here. ``He's holding on, but he can't hold on forever.'' In many ways, the work stoppage now in its 15th day has become a game to see who folds first.
(Excerpt) Read more at miami.com ...
Venezuela's Chavez Defiant; Troops Take Ship - with Foreign non-Spanish Speaking Crew*** In a broadcast Sunday, Chavez dismissed the general strike, launched by his foes to press him to quit and hold early elections, as the work of what he called "a traitorous, unpatriotic fifth column" linked to foreign interests. The shutdown involving state oil firm executives, refinery managers and oil tanker captains has cut Venezuela's oil output to less than a third and virtually halted oil exports, including shipments to the United States, the biggest client.
"I'm not going to leave here because of any pressure from a group of (oil) managers, coup mongers, fascists, businessmen or media owners," Chavez said during his weekly "Hello President" television and radio show. "I'm in the hands of Christ, the Lord of Venezuela. He's my commanding officer," he added. His foes, who include labor and business chiefs, rebel military officers and media owners, accuse him of ruining the economy and dragging the nation toward Cuba-style communism.***
our hearts have to go out to the brave Venezuelan people who are defying this creep...
He'll use any trick.
January 2002 - Venezuela's Chavez Steps up Verbal Attacks On Church-- Calls It a "Tumor" for the Country´s "Revolution"*** CARACAS, Venezuela, (Zenit.org).- Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez assailed the country´s Catholic bishops, accusing them of not "walking in the way of God" because they do not openly support the political leader´s "revolution."***
June 2002 - Chavez's image taken off altars***Lately, Chavez declared himself a member of a charismatic congregation, thus allegedly belonging to his country's fastest-growing branch of Christianity. But then he angered the country's National Catholic Bishops Conference by communing at a Mass organized by a priest of pro-Communist leanings.***
June 2002 - Captive Chavez prayed under stars for Venezuela ***"Let's hold each other's hand, let's pray here by the sea. Let's look at the stars and let's pray to God," Chavez said as he made his way to the helicopter that would fly him back to Caracas. "Let's ask for God's help so we are able to accept our differences and still come together in dialogue."***
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