Gunfire Kills 2 in Venezuela as March Turns Into Street Fight

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)