Two die in Venezuela street clashes

From Ingrid Arnesen and Andres Izarra CNN Saturday, January 4, 2003 Posted: 0435 GMT

CARACAS, Venezuela (CNN) -- At least two people were killed Friday in clashes between supporters of President Hugo Chavez and striking opposition groups. Police, national guard troops and army soldiers fired tear gas to try to contain the violence.

At least six more people were wounded by gunfire and more than two dozen others were injured by rocks, bottles and other debris hurled by both sides. It was unclear from which side the gunshots originated.

Twenty-six people received oxygen for problems due to inhaling tear gas, said Rodolfo Brizeno, head of the Caracas Fire Department.

Opposition leaders called on Venezuelans to "dig in" and urged them not to pay sales taxes after weeks of strikes have crippled the economy and the oil industry of the world's fifth-largest oil exporter.

The clash marked the 33rd day of demonstrations against Chavez by groups who have accused him of grabbing power and ruining the country's economy almost since he was elected four years ago. His opponents want him to resign or to call early elections.

Thousands of protesters took to the streets throughout the day. At one point, roughly 200 supporters of Chavez and more than 1,000 opposition protesters faced off near a large military facility. They were kept apart by a line of security forces.

The standoff came as opposition groups marched to the Fuerte Tiuna military facility, one of the largest in the capital, to show support for an army general under house arrest inside the facility.

The general was forced to retire for his part in a failed April coup. He was arrested Monday, accused of publicly urging people to support the opposition strikers. His case is now before the Supreme Court. So far, the military has backed Chavez.

As the protesters clashed, Chavez met with César Gaviria, secretary-general of the Organization of American States, which has been trying fruitlessly to mediate in the standoff between the government and opposition.

After the meeting, Gaviria said both sides failed to reach an agreement on a February 2 referendum.

He said the lack of an agreement did not mean there was no hope of finding a solution to the economic crisis. He said that at least both sides recognize the importance of the negotiating process.

Chavez spoke after the meeting on national television, saying the demonstrators' actions were unconstitutional and undemocratic.

He reiterated his position the dispute could be handled in a referendum in mid-August. Under the constitution, a referendum on an elected official must be held at midterm if requested by enough people.

President Chavez

That figure, however, must be at least one person greater than the number who elected the official. Opposition groups have rejected this option.

Chavez said he would announce extraordinary measures later this month to deal with the country's economic problems. He offered no specifics.

The president said Algeria promised to send a team of 20 people to help restart the oil industry. He indicated they would include shipping and computer experts.

Chavez said he was winning the battle against the protesters and that soon the oil industry would return to pre-strike levels, but opposition leaders have dismissed those claims.

Late last month Chavez bought a tanker of gasoline from Brazil to provide emergency fuel for the country. Two other tankers were lying off the coast of Venezuela and a Russian tanker was said to be on its way.