AP. 23 January 2002. Rivals Mark Venezuela Anniversary.
CARACAS -- Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators marched in Caracas on Wednesday both for and against the government as the country marked the 44th anniversary of independence. An anti-government crowd estimated at just above 100,000 banged pots, pans and drums and complained the government threatens liberties gained since a popular uprising ousted Venezuela's last dictator on Jan. 23, 1958. Blocks away, an enthusiastic crowd of similar size marched to support President Hugo Chavez. Supporters claim the president is delivering the country from a corrupt oligarchy that took over after Gen. Marcos Perez Jimenez was ousted. Chavez, wearing a red beret, joined the march and was mobbed by jubilant supporters. The opposition demonstration was the largest street protest yet against Chavez's presidency and followed a general strike on Dec. 10 by labor and business that virtually shut down Venezuela. Strikers protested 49 laws decreed by Chavez that they said increased the state's role in the economy. Wednesday's marches took separate paths, and more than 3,000 police and National Guard troops escorted demonstrators to prevent violence. Government supporters and opponents clashed in December when a pro-Chavez crowd stormed an opposition demonstration. Defense Minister Jose Vicente Rangel said Wednesday's demonstrations showed to the world a peaceful and vigorous Venezuelan democracy where dissenting voices are heard and welcomed. Government supporters blame tensions on a middle class-based opposition bent on deposing Chavez. They say Venezuela's elite resent Chavez's efforts to redistribute wealth among the poor through land reform and other populist measures. "The opposition wants to instigate chaos. It wants a civil war. Anything to oust Chavez from the presidency," said Cilia Flores, a lawmaker with the ruling Fifth Republic Movement party. Opposition leaders argue Chavez's scathing criticism of Venezuela's "oligarchy" has fomented class division. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Barry Stoller http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ProletarianNews
