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Anti-Chávez march takes violent turn
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Demonstrators opposed to Venezuela’s National Election Council were met with violence during a march through Caracas.
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BY PATRICIA RONDON ESPIN
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Associated Press
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**CARACAS - **A street march by hundreds of Venezuelans opposed to President Hugo Chávez turned violent Saturday as purported government supporters threw rocks and tear gas canisters at protesters.
Roughly 1,000 demonstrators were marching through the capital to demand that officials on the National Election Council, which is seen as pro-Chávez by government opponents, are replaced before upcoming congressional elections.
Six people were injured when alleged Chávez supporters attacked the march, launching fireworks and throwing glass bottles, rocks and tear gas canisters, Caracas Fire Chief Delio Martínez said.
The violence broke up the march several blocks from congress. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals, the Globovisión television news channel reported.
‘‘This government is all about lies,’’ said Rómulo Zambrano, a 50-year old publicist, as he marched toward the National Assembly in downtown Caracas.
Opposition leaders claim the council is dominated by government-friendly directors who cannot guarantee a transparent vote. Electoral officials insist their council is independent and preparations have been made for fair elections.
Some opposition leaders have called boycotts in past elections, but most opposition parties are urging voters to go to the polls to demonstrate unity in December’s congressional election.
Ruling party lawmakers currently control 53 percent of the National Assembly, a majority that Chávez has vowed will grow in the December vote.
Chávez critics accuse the former army paratrooper of becoming increasingly authoritarian and dividing this South American nation of 26 million along class lines.
A self-styled ‘‘revolutionary’’ who was re-elected in 2000 on promises to empower the poor, Chávez says his political adversaries are ‘‘immoral’’ power-mongers bent on toppling him.
miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/12495908.htm
http://www.miami.com/images/common/spacer.gif
Demonstrators opposed to Venezuela’s National Election Council were met with violence during a march through Caracas.
http://www.miami.com/images/common/spacer.gif
BY PATRICIA RONDON ESPIN
http://www.miami.com/images/common/spacer.gif
Associated Press
http://www.miami.com/images/common/spacer.gif
**CARACAS - **A street march by hundreds of Venezuelans opposed to President Hugo Chávez turned violent Saturday as purported government supporters threw rocks and tear gas canisters at protesters.
Roughly 1,000 demonstrators were marching through the capital to demand that officials on the National Election Council, which is seen as pro-Chávez by government opponents, are replaced before upcoming congressional elections.
Six people were injured when alleged Chávez supporters attacked the march, launching fireworks and throwing glass bottles, rocks and tear gas canisters, Caracas Fire Chief Delio Martínez said.
The violence broke up the march several blocks from congress. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals, the Globovisión television news channel reported.
‘‘This government is all about lies,’’ said Rómulo Zambrano, a 50-year old publicist, as he marched toward the National Assembly in downtown Caracas.
Opposition leaders claim the council is dominated by government-friendly directors who cannot guarantee a transparent vote. Electoral officials insist their council is independent and preparations have been made for fair elections.
Some opposition leaders have called boycotts in past elections, but most opposition parties are urging voters to go to the polls to demonstrate unity in December’s congressional election.
Ruling party lawmakers currently control 53 percent of the National Assembly, a majority that Chávez has vowed will grow in the December vote.
Chávez critics accuse the former army paratrooper of becoming increasingly authoritarian and dividing this South American nation of 26 million along class lines.
A self-styled ‘‘revolutionary’’ who was re-elected in 2000 on promises to empower the poor, Chávez says his political adversaries are ‘‘immoral’’ power-mongers bent on toppling him.
miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/12495908.htm
