___ Desde Washington ___ Stumbling in Venezuela The Bush adminstration's unexpected call for early elections to end Venezuela's political crisis suggested Washington still has much to learn about nurturing democracy in Latin America.    Read the column: Spanish | English Marcela Sanchez also reports daily in Spanish about local Washington news at 6 p.m. on Univision. Watch the Video. News from Venezuela

• Chavez Touts Oil Sector Rebound (The Washington Post, Jan 3, 2003) • World (The Washington Post, Dec 30, 2002) • Cartagena: Safe Haven? (The Washington Post, Dec 29, 2002) • Billion-Dollar Bank Setbacks (The Washington Post, Dec 29, 2002) • More News from Venezuela

Reuters Saturday, January 4, 2003; Page A13

CARACAS, Venezuela, Jan. 3 -- Gunshots rang out in clashes between foes and supporters of President Hugo Chavez today, leaving at least five people wounded as the opposition stepped up street protests in its drive to force the Venezuelan leader to resign.

Demonstrators and police ran for cover after gunfire was heard near the center of the capital, breaking an uneasy holiday calm that had settled over the streets during a 33-day-old opposition strike against Chavez. Four people were hit by the gunfire and another person was injured by police shotgun pellets, fire chief Rodolfo Briceño said.

It was unclear who had opened fire. At least 12 people were hit by stones or bottles.

National Guard troops fired tear gas and shotgun pellets to stop a few hundred Chavez supporters from attacking thousands of opposition marchers. Confused running battles broke out with troops as both sides threw bottles and rocks.

Columns of smoke wafted high above apartment buildings in the southwest part of Caracas as pro-Chavez demonstrators set up burning barricades near Fuerte Tiuna military base to block opposition marchers who were demanding that the government free Gen. Carlos Alfonso Martinez, a dissident officer detained this week.

The opposition strike, which started Dec. 2, has choked oil shipments and stoked fears of violence in the world's fifth-largest petroleum exporter. Global oil prices have hit two-year highs because of the strike and the fear of a U.S. war with Iraq.

Opposition leaders are locked in a stalemate with the government, and vowed to continue the strike until Chavez quits and accepts early elections. They have held daily marches and urged supporters not to pay taxes. But the populist president has refused to quit.

Opponents and supporters of the president have been caught up in a bitter political conflict for more than a year, and rival rallies and marches have often ended in violence. Foes of Chavez said he has failed in his electoral promise to tackle poverty and corruption. Instead, they said, his self-styled revolution has driven Venezuela toward economic ruin with left-wing reforms and mismanagement.

Since his 1998 election, Chavez has portrayed himself as a champion of the poor in a nation where slums sit uneasily alongside rich neighborhoods. Despite Venezuela's vast oil wealth, most of its people live in poverty.

By SUSANNAH A. NESMITH Associated Press Writer January 4, 2003, 12:06 AM EST

CARACAS, Venezuela -- Street protests turned deadly Friday as police struggled in vain to separate battling supporters and opponents of President Hugo Chavez. At least two people were shot to death and 78 others injured during rioting that convulsed a capital district for hours. A march aimed a drawing support from the military for a nationwide strike erupted in violence when several hundred supporters of the president threw rocks, bottles and fireworks at thousands of opposition marchers and police in Los Proceres park, outside Caracas' Fort Tiuna. Police fought to keep the sides apart, firing rubber bullets and tear gas, which sent stinging white clouds drifting through the district's tree-lined avenues. The anti-Chavez marchers responded by taunting soldiers and police with chants of "murderers." Gunfire rang out as the melee enveloped the area, which surrounding the capital's military headquarters. Protesters and police ducked behind trees and or flattened themselves on the streets. Caracas Fire Chief Rodolfo Briceno confirmed late Friday that at least two men were shot and killed and five others were wounded. Authorities said it wasn't immediately clear who opened fire or to what side the casualties belonged. Authorities said at least 73 other people, including seven police, were injured -- either overcome by the tear gas or hit with rocks. There have been almost daily protests for the past month but the deaths were the first since Dec. 6, when three people were shot dead at an opposition rally. Dozens were killed in April in rioting that sparked a failed coup that briefly toppled Chavez. He regained power after two days. The anti-Chavez marchers were demanding the release of a dissident national guard general and urging the military to support a 5-week-old strike aimed at forcing Chavez to hold a nonbinding vote on his leadership. Col. Jose Rodrigo Pantoja, commander of the military police, said marchers weren't authorized to enter the plaza, which the government has declared a security zone -- one of eight such zones in Caracas. He said soldiers acted only after the opposition march reached the plaza. Crouching behind an ambulance, marcher Maria Arismendy poured water over the face of her small dog while he howled. "We're peaceful, but you see what they do," she said through her tears. "We just want our country back. Chavez has ruined everything." Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel blamed "irresponsible" march leaders for trying to enter the security zone. "They tried to break through a security barrier and that produced the clashes with security forces," Rangel told The Associated Press. Thousands of people milled about in neighborhoods near Los Proceres as guardsmen clashed with jeering Chavez supporters, some of whom ran through a cloud of tear gas carrying an injured colleague on a stretcher. Opposition protesters demanded the release of Gen. Carlos Alfonso Martinez, one of about 100 officers who revolted last fall. Martinez was arrested Dec. 30 without a required court order. A judge ordered his release, but he remains under house arrest. "We will resist until the end, until we achieve the objective of getting rid of Chavez and his authoritarian regime," said Carlos Ortega, president of the nation's largest trade union. Venezuela's opposition called a strike Dec. 2 to pressure Chavez to call a referendum on his presidency. Venezuela's constitution permits a possible binding vote halfway into Chavez's six-year term, or next August. Chavez rejects an early nonbinding ballot. Opposition leaders blame Chavez's leftist policies for deep economic troubles and accuse him of grabbing power. The president counters the opposition wants to stage an "economic coup." The strike has paralyzed oil production in Venezuela, the world's fifth-largest oil exporter and a top supplier to the United States. The strike has helped push international oil prices above $30 per barrel. Oil workers have defied a back-to-work order by the Supreme Court. Talks mediated by the Organization of American States have made little progress. The strike has forced Chavez to seek food and fuel abroad. On Friday, he discussed aid for Venezuela with an Algerian diplomat. He also met with OAS Secretary General Cesar Gaviria on the deadlocked negotiations. Chavez said fellow Latin American leaders have told him "not to cede to (opposition) blackmail" because it could promote "destabilization campaigns" in the region. "The force of law is going to be imposed here," Chavez said, adding he saw no immediate need to declare martial law. Chavez said Thursdsay that he would support diplomatic efforts by a "Group of Nation Friends" to help resolve the crisis. Ali Rodriguez, president of the state-owned oil company, told the state news agency Venpres the government has purchased 250,000 barrels of gasoline from a U.S. firm and 600,000 more barrels from Russia. Venezuela also has received gasoline shipments from Brazil and Trinidad and Tobago. The government is trying to negotiate long-term gasoline import deals with those countries, as well as Ecuador, Colombia and Mexico, to meet the domestic demand of 400,000 barrels a day. Analysts say importing gasoline will force Chavez' government to make budget cuts and slash social spending -- a move that could weaken his support among the poor, his power base.

Copyright © 2003, The Associated Press

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - Two people were shot and killed and at least 78 others were injured during a protest Friday aimed at toppling President Hugo Chavez, as violence escalated in this South American country.

It was unclear who fired on the protest, which pitted opposition demonstrators against government troops and Chavez supporters.

Troops fired rubber bullets and tear gas to keep Chavez opponents and supporters from clashing outside the Venezuelan capital's military headquarters.

Caracas Fire Chief Rodolfo Briceno said two men died of gunshot wounds and another five were wounded by gunfire that erupted at the rally.

He said at least 73 other people were injured - either by rocks thrown during the melee or by asphixiation from the tear gas.

The violence broke out when several hundred supporters of the president threw rocks, bottles and fireworks at thousands of opposition marchers and police in Los Proceres park, outside Caracas' Fort Tiuna.

The anti-Chavez marchers were demanding the release of a dissident national guard general and urging the military to support a 5-week-old strike aimed at forcing Chavez to hold a nonbinding vote on his leadership.

Stinging white clouds of tear gas drifted through the district's tree-lined avenues as guardsmen fired tear gas and buckshot near the base, the armed forces' main headquarters.

Crouching behind an ambulance, marcher Maria Arismendy poured water over the face of her small dog while he howled.

"We're peaceful, but you see what they do,'' she said through her tears. "We just want our country back. Chavez has ruined everything.''

Marchers taunted soldiers and police with chants of "murderers'' in between doses of tear gas.

The unrest rekindled hours later, with protesters and police ducking behind trees and lying flat on the streets as gunfire rang out.

Police Chief Henry Vivas said seven police officers were among the injured, while opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez said the casualties included 11 people hurt in a stampede.

Col. Jose Rodrigo Pantoja, commander of the military police, said marchers weren't authorized to enter the plaza, which the government has declared a security zone - one of eight such zones in Caracas.

He said soldiers acted only after the opposition march reached the plaza.

Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel blamed "irresponsible'' march leaders for trying to enter the security zone.

"They tried to break through a security barrier and that produced the clashes with security forces,'' Rangel told The Associated Press.

Thousands of people milled about in neighborhoods near Los Proceres as guardsmen clashed with jeering Chavez supporters, some of whom ran through a cloud of tear gas carrying an injured colleague on a stretcher.

Opposition protesters demanded the release of Gen. Carlos Alfonso Martinez, one of about 100 officers who revolted last fall. Martinez was arrested Dec. 30 without a required court order.

A judge ordered his release, but he remains under house arrest.

"We will resist until the end, until we achieve the objective of getting rid of Chavez and his authoritarian regime,'' said Carlos Ortega, president of the nation's largest trade union.

Venezuela's opposition called a strike Dec. 2 to pressure Chavez to call a referendum on his presidency.

Under the constitution, a binding vote can be held halfway into Chavez's six-year term, or next August. Chavez rejects an earlier nonbinding ballot.

Opposition leaders blame Chavez's leftist policies for deep economic troubles and accuse him of grabbing power.

The president counters the opposition wants to stage an "economic coup.''

The strike has paralyzed oil production in Venezuela, the world's fifth-largest oil exporter and a top supplier to the United States.

The strike has helped push international oil prices above US$30 per barrel.

Oil workers have defied a back-to-work order by the Supreme Court.

Talks mediated by the Organization of American States have made little progress.

The strike has forced Chavez to seek food and fuel abroad. On Friday, he discussed aid for Venezuela with an Algerian diplomat. He also met with OAS Secretary General Cesar Gaviria on the deadlocked negotiations.

Chavez said fellow Latin American leaders have told him "not to cede to (opposition) blackmail'' because it could promote "destabilization campaigns'' in the region.

"The force of law is going to be imposed here,'' Chavez said, adding he saw no immediate need to declare martial law.

Chavez said Thursdsay that he would support diplomatic efforts by a "Group of Nation Friends'' to help resolve the crisis.

Ali Rodriguez, president of the state-owned oil company, told the state news agency Venpres the government has purchased 250,000 barrels of gasoline from a U.S. firm and 600,000 more barrels from Russia.

Venezuela also has received gasoline shipments from Brazil and Trinidad and Tobago.

The government is trying to negotiate long-term gasoline import deals with those countries, as well as Ecuador, Colombia and Mexico, to meet the domestic demand of 400,000 barrels a day.

Analysts say importing gasoline will force Chavez' government to make budget cuts and slash social spending - a move that could weaken his support among the poor, his power base. - AP

Posted on Fri, Jan. 03, 2003 BY PATRICK MARKEY Reuters

CARACAS, Venezuela - Two people were shot dead and two dozen were wounded on Friday when foes and supporters of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez clashed in Caracas as the opposition stepped up street protests in its drive to force the leftist leader to resign.

Demonstrators and police ran for cover after dozens of gunshots rang out near the capital's military headquarters, breaking the uneasy Christmas calm that had settled over the streets during an ongoing 33-day-old opposition strike.

"There was a volley of shots. We all threw ourselves to the ground. There was chaos and total panic. The shooting didn't stop," said a Reuters photographer at the scene.

National Guard troops and police fired tear gas and shotgun pellets to stop a few hundred Chavez supporters from attacking thousands of opposition marchers, who were also forced back by troops. Confused running battles broke out as groups from both sides hurled rocks.

City health officials said two of six people hit by gunfire had died. Another person was injured by police shotgun pellets and at least 20 people were wounded by stones and objects thrown by protesters.

It was unclear who had opened fire, but witnesses saw several people on both sides produce handguns after the shooting began.

Columns of smoke wafted high above apartment blocks in the southwest part of Caracas as pro-Chavez demonstrators set up burning barricades near Fuerte Tiuna military base to block the opposition marchers demanding the government free a dissident general detained this week.

STALEMATE OVER OIL SHUTDOWN

The opposition strike, started on Dec. 2, has choked oil shipments and stoked fears of violence in the world's No. 5 petroleum exporter. Global oil prices have hit two-year highs due to the strike and a possible U.S. war with Iraq.

Opposition leaders are locked in a stalemate with the government as they vow to keep up the strike until Chavez quits and accepts early elections. They have held daily marches and urged supporters not to pay taxes to keep up the pressure.

But the populist president has refused to quit and promised to defeat the shutdown, which he calls an attempt to topple him. Chavez said that he would only consider declaring a state of emergency if the situation required such a measure.

"That would be decided by the circumstances," Chavez said. "I am obliged to protect public order."

Opponents and supporters of the president have been caught up in a bitter political conflict for more than a year and rival rallies and marches have often ended in violent clashes.

Foes of Chavez say he has failed in his electoral promise to tackle poverty and corruption. Instead, they say, his self-styled "revolution" has driven Venezuela toward economic ruin and chaos with its left-wing reforms and mismanagement.

Since his 1998 election, Chavez has portrayed himself as a champion of the poor in a nation where impoverished slums sit uneasily alongside rich neighborhoods. Despite Venezuela's vast oil wealth, most of its population lives in poverty.

Opposition leaders, who accuse former paratrooper Chavez of ruling like a dictator, have appealed to the armed forces to help secure the release of Gen. Carlos Alfonso Martinez, who was involved in a short-lived April coup against Chavez.

Provoking opposition outrage, the National Guard general is being held despite a court order for his release. Military authorities have not announced formal charges against him. But he and more than 100 other anti-Chavez officers have staged a peaceful protest in an east Caracas square since late October.

ELECTION CONTROVERSY

Fears over splits within the armed forces have rattled Venezuela since April when Chavez was briefly toppled by rebel generals and admirals. Top military commanders appear to back the president despite calls for popular resistance.

Nearly five weeks into the strike, the government and opposition are locked in a struggle for control of the oil industry. Chavez, who has tried to restart strike-bound state oil giant PDVSA using troops, loyal workers and retirees.

But strikers have argued it would take at least four months for operations to resume.

Talks between both sides chaired by the Organization of American States and backed by the United States have gone nowhere. Negotiations continued Friday with no result.

The opposition is demanding elections in the first three months of this year. They also want to hold a nonbinding referendum on Chavez's rule on Feb. 2, hoping to illustrate how far his popularity has fallen. Chavez said on Friday the referendum still needed to be ratified by the Supreme Court, but the opposition said it would go ahead with the poll.

The president has said he will ignore the vote, saying the constitution only allows a referendum on his mandate in August -- halfway through his current term which ends in 2007.

(Additional reporting by Ana Isabel Martinez and Kim White)

By GINGER THOMPSON

ARACAS, Venezuela, Jan. 3 — As many as three people were wounded by gunfire today in clashes between opponents of President Hugo Chávez and pro-government groups, as a peaceful protest involving thousands deteriorated into a huge street fight.

It is unclear who fired the shots.

Hospital officials reported at least a dozen people hurt by rocks and rubber bullets, and soldiers fired dozens of rounds of tear gas to disperse the crowds. Advertisement

The disturbances lasted until sunset, with many people at the scene expressing concern that as a national strike against the president entered its 33rd day, the atmosphere here would only get worse.

"This country is like a time bomb," said Antonio Melchor, his clothes drenched in sweat and his eyes bloodshot from the tear gas. "Instead of elections, it seems the president wants civil war."

The strike has shut down most major industry, including crucial oil production, generating serious shortages of gasoline and cooking fuel.

As part of his effort to break the strike, Mr. Chávez has had talks with officials from Algeria about the possibility of importing oil workers, and is reportedly exploring similar options with India and the Philippines.

He said today that he expected a team of Algerians to arrive soon. He described them as "tanker crews, some experts in energy matters, refining, production, and especially systems analysts."

In Washington, the State Department reacted negatively to an effort by President Chávez to form a coalition of heads of state, called "Friends of Venezuela," to help negotiate a settlement to the crisis. Mr. Chávez talked about forming such a group during a visit to Brazil this week.

The State Department spokesman, Richard A. Boucher, instead expressed American support for talks currently being mediated by the Organization of American States.

The violence here today began when tens of thousands of protesters approached a bridge leading to the main military base at Fort Tiuna, witnesses said. Protesters urging the military to join their side also sought the release of a dissident general detained last week by government security forces.

Chávez supporters, shouting that they had come to defend the army, intercepted the marchers. Beneath the bridge other pro-government groups, their faces covered by masks made from their T-shirts, began to throw rocks and bottles.

Almost every day since the strike began, opponents of the president have held marches and rallies, at times as many as half a million people, to press him to resign and hold new elections. The protesters say Mr. Chávez, who proclaims himself a champion of the poor, is seeking to impose a Cuban-style government. Meanwhile, the country is convulsed by its deepest recession in more than a decade.

Labeling protesters terrorists and coup plotters, the president has ignored calls to resign. He has further inflamed opponents by threatening to prosecute their leaders and by playing down the strike's impact.

But the violent scenes broadcast live on all major Venezuelan networks today only emphasized the depth of the turmoil here.

Pro-government groups stood at one side of the bridge, waving a flag that read, "The Bolivarian Revolution will not negotiate!" Some began to set fire to the fields of shrubs beneath the bridge and throw rocks.

On the other side, tensions heightened among opposition protesters, who had come armed only with flags and whistles. Some of them began throwing rocks. Some chanted, "Not one step back," which has become a kind of battle cry for those who oppose President Chávez.

Venezuela Strife Pushes Crude Oil to $30  (December 17, 2002)  $ Venezuelan Leader Says He'll Weather Strike by Opponents  (December 16, 2002)