Venezuela's Strike Enters Its 28th Day

Posted on Sun, Dec. 29, 2002 ALEXANDRA OLSON - Associated Press

CARACAS, Venezuela - Tens of thousands of people took to the streets demanding the resignation of President Hugo Chavez on Sunday, the 28th day of a nationwide strike that has virtually halted oil exports and evaporated domestic gasoline supplies.

The protesters poured out of nine areas of the capital to converge on an avenue chosen for its name: "La Victoria," or victory. Politicians, businessmen and labor leaders harangued the crowd with a long list of arguments why Chavez should quit.

It's a scene that has been played out many times during the strike - so far without success.

Chavez refuses to go and insists the government is regaining control of the state oil monopoly, Petroleos de Venezuela, where most managers are on strike. He says he will use the protest to downsize the mammoth corporation and has already replaced many strikers.

"It's a struggle to save the country between us patriots and the traitors," Chavez said during his weekly television show, held Sunday outside a gasoline distribution center where the government has replaced striking managers.

The president led the audience in a round of applause every time a gasoline truck left the installation in the western state of Carabobo.

At the rally in Caracas, his foes threatened more civil disobedience, including not paying taxes. Many also want to march on the presidential palace. The last time that happened, 19 people were killed in the ensuing clash between Chavez foes and followers. The April 11 violence provoked a coup that ousted Chavez for two days.

The strike has slashed oil exports, forcing the world's fifth-largest oil supplier to barter with other countries for food and fuel.

Ali Rodriguez, president of the state-owned oil monopoly, said Venezuela is currently producing between 500,000 and 600,000 barrels a day. But striking executives say the company is producing less than 200,000 barrels a day.

Production is normally more than 3 million barrels a day.

Venezuela received its first foreign shipments of gasoline Saturday with the Brazilian tanker Amazonian Explorer delivering 525,000 barrels, barely more than a normal day's demand.

Venezuela's largest labor confederation and business chamber called the strike Dec. 2 to demand Chavez accept a nonbinding referendum on his rule. Many in the opposition now demand early elections - which constitutionally can only take place if Chavez resigns.

They accuse Chavez of running roughshod over democratic institutions and wrecking the economy with leftist policies. Venezuela's economy shrank 6 percent during the first nine months of 2002. Inflation has reached 30 percent, and unemployment 17 percent.

But Chavez is still popular in the slums around Caracas where many consider him the first leader in generations to stand up for their interests.

Chavez says opponents must wait until August, when a binding referendum may be held on his rule. He was elected in 1998 and re-elected in 2000, and his term ends in 2007.

The Organization of American States is sponsoring talks to end to the crisis. Negotiations, interrupted by the holidays, resume Thursday.