www.voanews.com VOA News 19 Jan 2003, 04:09 UTC

More than 100,000 Venezuelans took part in an anti-government rally in Caracas late Saturday after President Hugo Chavez threatened to quit talks aimed at ending the country's seven-week-old crippling general strike.

Protesters disrupted traffic, as they marched in the capital to support demands that President Chavez step down and call early elections. The embattled leader says he will not negotiate with strikers and has threatened to use the full extent of the law backed by military power to end the strike.

Earlier, Mr. Chavez said he was considering pulling out of talks with the opposition brokered by the Organization of American States (OAS). He accused opponents of not being serious about following what he called a "democratic path."

The Venezuelan president made the remark in Brazil, where he held talks with his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva about the latest initiative to send the political stalemate.

A so-called Group of Friends of Venezuela is being set up to help mediate between Mr. Chavez and the opposition. The group includes Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Spain, Portugal and the United States.

Mr. Chavez wants Russia and China to be added to the group, but Mr. da Silva rejected the idea saying a smaller number could make and implement decisions more efficiently.

www.salon.com

By Jorge Rueda

Jan. 19, 2003  |  CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- At least 100,000 anti-government protesters staged a candlelight march in Caracas late Saturday, converging on a city highway waving national flags, flashlights and flaming torches.

Protesters cut off traffic as they demanded President Hugo Chavez's resignation and voiced support for a 7-week-old strike called by business and labor groups to force a nonbinding referendum on Chavez's rule.

"We don't want this totalitarian regime that the president wants to impose," said Carolina Serrano, 25, dressed in jeans colored in the yellow, blue and red of the Venezuelan flag and shielding a candle from the evening breeze. "We're tired of so much abuse of power."

Caracas Fire Chief Rodolfo Briceno estimated that the march drew at least 100,000 people.

In Miami, about 50,000 protesters jammed into the predominantly Cuban Little Havana, calling for Chavez's ouster. Venezuelan exiles were joined by Cuban-Americans and sympathizers from other Latin American nations.

The strike is strongest in state oil monopoly Petroleos de Venezuela S.A., where 30,000 of 40,000 workers are off the job. Banks have restricted hours and sympathetic media broadcast pro-strike and anti-Chavez commercials around the clock.

Chavez, arriving from a visit to Brazil, promised to use the full extent of the law -- backed up by the military -- to break the strike, which began Dec. 2.

The former paratrooper, who was elected in 1998 and re-elected in 2000, insists his foes must wait until August -- or halfway through his six-year term -- when a recall referendum is permitted by the constitution.

"We've put up with too much," Chavez said in a nationally televised speech. "I've ordered legal proceedings to begin against the banks ... and the media."

Government adversaries pledged to oppose the president peacefully and urged Venezuelans to use their vote in a nonbinding referendum on Chavez's rule, tentatively scheduled for Feb. 2, and avoid violence.

Opposition representatives at talks mediated by the Organization of American States said they would persist with negotiations despite threats by Chavez to pull out.

"If we decide to leave the table it's because those people (opposition) don't show demonstrations of wanting to take the democratic path," Chavez told the state-run Venpres news agency Saturday.

Cesar Gaviria, the OAS secretary general, began mediating the talks in November. Little progress has been made while the strike threatens to destroy Venezuela's economy.

"The president can try to leave the table with a characteristically violent gesture but we reply with civilized, democratic and peaceful behavior," Alejandro Armas, an opposition negotiator. "We are going to stay at the table."

On Friday, soldiers battled through protesters to seize food and drink from Venezuela's largest food company, Empresas Polar, and an affiliate of U.S. soft drink giant Coca-Cola to distribute among the people.

Chavez said the companies that owned the plants in the industrial city of Valencia, 66 miles west of Caracas, were denying Venezuelans food and drink during the crippling strike.

U.S. Ambassador Charles Shapiro said he was "concerned and disappointed" by the seizures, which affect U.S. interests in Venezuela.

"I strongly hope I'm wrong, but it looks like the officers did not act within the law," Shapiro said. "There was no (judicial) order, nor a judge" present.

The Venezuelan American Chamber of Commerce and Industry denounced the actions as unconstitutional and offered support to any member companies whose rights were threatened.

Chavez was in Brazil on Saturday to speak with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva about the newest initiative to end the bitter stalemate. A so-called "Group of Friends of Venezuela" is being set up with the participation of Brazil, the United States, Mexico, Chile, Portugal and Spain.

Chavez said he would seek similar meetings with presidents of the group's other member countries. Washington has indicated it believes the best way out of the crisis is through new elections.

"I am not afraid of the opinions of the United States in the negotiations of the Group of Friends, because the United States is also a friend of Venezuela," Chavez said.

Venezuela is the fourth-largest supplier of oil to the United States.

The Supreme Court is due to decide on the legality of the proposed Feb. 2 referendum.

Venezuela's opposition, which accuses Chavez of running the country's democratic institutions into the ground, says it will ignore any decision trying to stop the vote.

Chavez promised radical change in the oil-rich country where 80 percent of the 24 million people live in poverty. But an economic recession has brought unemployment to 17 percent, and a devaluation of the bolivar currency fueled 30 percent inflation last year.

The strike has caused severe food and fuel shortages and hobbled the oil industry, costing the nation at least $4 billion.

www.timesdaily.com By JORGE RUEDA Associated Press Writer January 18. 2003 4:49PM

Foes of President Hugo Chavez vowed on Saturday to step up efforts to resolve the country's crisis peacefully - one day after troops battled through protesters to raid privately owned bottling plants.

Government adversaries urged Venezuelans to use their vote in a Feb. 2 nonbinding referendum on Chavez's rule rather than respond to violence with more violence.

Opposition representatives at talks mediated by the Organization of American States said they would plow on with negotiations despite statements by Chavez that the government could leave the talks.

"The president can try to leave the table with a characteristically violent gesture but we reply with civilized, democratic and peaceful behavior," said Alejandro Armas, one of six opposition representatives at the talks. "We are going to stay at the table."

Cesar Gaviria, the OAS secretary general, began mediating the talks in November. Little progress has been made while a 7-week-old strike called by business and labor groups to force Chavez from office threatens to destroy Venezuela's economy.

"If we decide to leave the table it's because those people (opposition) don't show demonstrations of wanting to take the democratic path," Chavez told the state-run Venpres news agency Saturday.

On Friday, soldiers seized food and drink from Venezuela's largest food company, Empresas Polar, and an affiliate of U.S. soft drink giant Coca-Cola to distribute among the people.

Chavez defended the raids in the industrial city of Valencia, 66 miles west of Caracas. He said the companies that owned the plants were denying Venezuelans food and drink during the crippling strike.

On Saturday, dozens of anti-Chavez protesters demonstrated outside a bottling plant in Valencia. One banner read, "Don't Buy Stolen Coke!" An anti-government protest by candlelight was slated to take place in the capital.

U.S. Ambassador Charles Shapiro said he was "concerned and disappointed" by the seizures, which affect U.S. interests in Venezuela.

"I strongly hope I'm wrong, but it looks like the officers did not act within the law," Shapiro said. "There was no (judicial) order, nor a judge" present.

The Venezuelan American Chamber of Commerce and Industry denounced the actions as unconstitutional and offered support to any member companies whose rights were threatened.

Chavez was in Brazil on Saturday to speak with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva about the newest initiative to end the bitter stalemate. A so-called "Group of Friends of Venezuela" is being set up with the participation of Brazil, the United States, Mexico, Chile, Portugal and Spain.

Chavez said he would seek similar meetings with presidents of the group's other member countries and added he was not worried by U.S. involvement. Washington has indicated it believes the best way out of the crisis is through new elections.

"I am not afraid of the opinions of the United States in the negotiations of the Group of Friends, because the United States is also a friend of Venezuela," Chavez said.

Venezuela is the fourth-largest supplier of oil to the United States. Allies and adversaries of Chavez expect a forthcoming Supreme Court ruling on the legality of the proposed Feb. 2 referendum.

Venezuela's opposition says it will ignore any decision that tries to stop the referendum, while Chavez says he will not step down even if he loses by 90 percent.

Chavez, who was elected in 1998 and re-elected in 2000, insists his foes must wait until August - or halfway through his six-year term - when a recall referendum is permitted by the constitution. His opponents say they cannot wait that long. They accuse the former paratroop commander of running the country's democratic institutions into the ground.

Chavez promised radical change in the oil-rich country where 80 percent of the 24 million people live in poverty. But an economic recession has brought unemployment to 17 percent, and a devaluation of the bolivar currency fueled 30 percent inflation last year.

The strike has caused severe food and fuel shortages and hobbled the oil industry, costing the nation at least $4 billion.

Venezuela produced 3 million barrels a day of crude before the strike but output was at 512,000 barrels Friday, according to striking employees of the state-owned oil monopoly Petroleos de Venezuela S.A.

Chavez insisted his government was reviving oil production.

www.islandpacket.com By FABIOLA SANCHEZ, Associated Press Published Saturday, January 18th, 2003

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - President Hugo Chavez on Saturday defended raids of two bottling plants, saying the companies that owned them denied Venezuelans food and drink in a seven-week strike that has hobbled the nation.

Fighting their way through protesters, Venezuelan troops raided a Coca-Cola bottling plant Friday night and seized soda, bottled water and other drinks. Soldiers also raided a plant owned by Polar, the country's largest brewer and food producer.

"Those that are hoarding food will have to be raided," Chavez said in a telephone interview broadcast on Venezuelan state television. "The private companies ... are violating Venezuelans' rights."

Chavez spoke before arriving in the Brazilian capital early Saturday to discuss an initiative by several countries to join forces and help solve Venezuela's ongoing crisis.

Chavez met with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva about the so-called "Group of Friends of Venezuela." Brazil, the United States, Mexico, Chile, Portugal and Spain form part of the group.

Chavez said he was not worried about the U.S. involvement even though Washington has indicated it believes the best way out of Venezuela's crisis is new elections.

"I am not afraid of the opinions of the United States in the negotiations of the Group of Friends, because the United States is also a friend of Venezuela," Chavez said.

Protesters tried to block the raids of the bottling plants, but the National Guard used tear gas to push past them.

One soldier grabbed a woman by the hair and threw her backward onto the street. Another protester grabbed a National Guardsman by the lapels as other soldiers tried to pull her away.

Troops cut through chains at the gate and drove away Coca-Cola trucks filled with drinks as a protester shouted, "Thieves! Thieves!"

National Guard Gen. Felipe Acosta, a close ally of Chavez, said the drinks would be distributed to Venezuelans.

"It's for the people," Acosta said, and grabbed a malt drink. He drank it and belched loudly in front of television cameras.

The action outraged business owners and the Venezuelan American Chamber of Commerce and Industry, or VenAmCham.

"VenAmCham denounces the abuse of power ... violation of (the company's) property, intimidation of its employees, and removal of its goods without due process," the group said in a written statement.

In December, Chavez issued a presidential decree authorizing the military to "temporarily" confiscate private property to guarantee the distribution of basic food staples. He had warned food producers he would send soldiers to raid plants and warehouses hoarding supplies.

Both Polar and Panamco, the owner of the Coca-Cola plant, claim they haven't been able to distribute products due to fuel shortages and worker absences.

Opposition leaders said the raid set a dangerous precedent.

"There are private property rights here, rights of all Venezuelans and we will not permit them to be violated," said opposition leader Rafael Alfonzo.

The strike, called on Dec. 2 by opposition groups to force Chavez from office, has caused severe food and fuel shortages throughout this oil-rich yet poverty-stricken South American country of 24 million.

The strike has hobbled Venezuela's oil industry, the fourth-largest supplier to the United States, and cost the nation at least $4 billion. Chavez insisted his government was reviving oil production.

Venezuela produced 3 million barrels a day of crude before the strike.

The country's crude oil output was 512,000 barrels Friday, up from 484,000 barrels Thursday, according to striking employees of the state-owned oil monopoly Petroleos de Venezuela S.A.

However, Energy and Mines Minister Rafael Ramirez has said production stands at 890,000 barrels. About 35,000 oil workers, including executives, have joined the strike.

www.wset.com Saturday January 18, 2003 1:19pm

Caracas (AP) - President Hugo Chavez on Saturday defended raids of two bottling plants, saying the companies that owned them denied Venezuelans food and drink in a seven-week strike that has hobbled the nation.

Fighting their way through protesters, Venezuelan troops raided a Coca-Cola bottling plant Friday night and seized soda, bottled water and other drinks. Soldiers also raided a plant owned by Polar, the country's largest brewer and food producer.

"Those that are hoarding food will have to be raided," Chavez said in a telephone interview broadcast on Venezuelan state television. "The private companies ... are violating Venezuelans' rights." Chavez spoke before arriving in the Brazilian capital early Saturday to discuss an initiative by several countries to join forces and help solve Venezuela's ongoing crisis.

Chavez met with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva about the so-called "Group of Friends of Venezuela." Brazil, the United States, Mexico, Chile, Portugal and Spain form part of the group.

Chavez said he was not worried about the U.S. involvement even though Washington has indicated it believes the best way out of Venezuela's crisis is new elections.

"I am not afraid of the opinions of the United States in the negotiations of the Group of Friends, because the United States is also a friend of Venezuela," Chavez said.

Protesters tried to block the raids of the bottling plants, but the National Guard used tear gas to push past them.

One soldier grabbed a woman by the hair and threw her backward onto the street. Another protester grabbed a National Guardsman by the lapels as other soldiers tried to pull her away.

Troops cut through chains at the gate and drove away Coca-Cola trucks filled with drinks as a protester shouted, "Thieves! Thieves!" National Guard Gen. Felipe Acosta, a close ally of Chavez, said the drinks would be distributed to Venezuelans.

"It's for the people," Acosta said, and grabbed a malt drink. He drank it and belched loudly in front of television cameras.

The action outraged business owners and the Venezuelan American Chamber of Commerce and Industry, or VenAmCham. "VenAmCham denounces the abuse of power ... violation of (the company's) property, intimidation of its employees, and removal of its goods without due process," the group said in a written statement.

In December, Chavez issued a presidential decree authorizing the military to "temporarily" confiscate private property to guarantee the distribution of basic food staples. He had warned food producers he would send soldiers to raid plants and warehouses hoarding supplies.

Both Polar and Panamco, the owner of the Coca-Cola plant, claim they haven't been able to distribute products due to fuel shortages and worker absences.

Opposition leaders said the raid set a dangerous precedent. "There are private property rights here, rights of all Venezuelans and we will not permit them to be violated," said opposition leader Rafael Alfonzo.

The strike, called on Dec. 2 by opposition groups to force Chavez from office, has caused severe food and fuel shortages throughout this oil-rich yet poverty-stricken South American country of 24 million.

The strike has hobbled Venezuela's oil industry, the fourth-largest supplier to the United States, and cost the nation at least $4 billion. Chavez insisted his government was reviving oil production.

Venezuela produced 3 million barrels a day of crude before the strike.

The country's crude oil output was 512,000 barrels Friday, up from 484,000 barrels Thursday, according to striking employees of the state-owned oil monopoly Petroleos de Venezuela S.A.

However, Energy and Mines Minister Rafael Ramirez has said production stands at 890,000 barrels. About 35,000 oil workers, including executives, have joined the strike.

The Paris-based International Energy Agency said it could take months before Venezuela returns to its pre-strike production. The crisis has caused international prices to rise. In the U.S., gasoline prices have risen to an average $1.50 a gallon.