Venezuela's Strike Into 7th Week, Threats of Military Move
Chavez has repeatedly warned the armed forces were ready to wage battle in defense of his social revolution CARACAS, January 13 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - Venezuela's crippling strike entered its seventh week Monday, January 13, amid renewed violence and threats by President Hugo Chavez to beef up military efforts to end the protest that throttled the vital oil industry.
In what has become an almost daily routine, police and National Guard troops fired teargas and rubber bullets to disperse protesters in Caracas and the country's second largest city, Maracaibo, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP).
On Monday, it was Chavez supporters who were targeted by security forces, in Caracas after they hurled rocks at government opponents and in Maracaibo as they tried to stage a protest outside the governor's offices, according to television footage.
The pictures showed a group of people chanting pro-Chavez slogans and hurling rocks at a dozen government opponents who converged at a square in central Caracas for a brief ceremony before a statue of South American independence hero Simon Bolivar.
At least two people, including a National Guard member, were visibly injured by the rocks.
National Guard troops fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the Chavez supporters.
On Sunday, January 12, military troops dispersed thousands of anti-government protesters who gathered outside a huge military complex in Caracas.
While some protesters Sunday taunted soldiers blocking access to the army installations, the opposition has been courting the armed forces and urging them to take sides, while Chavez insisted the military were firmly behind him.
Military Still Behind Chavez With both sides firmly entrenched in their positions, attention was closely focused on the military establishment, which to date has generally steered clear of political pronouncements on the volatile crisis.
Chavez has repeatedly warned the armed forces were ready to wage battle in defense of his self-styled social revolution threatened by the business, labor and political leaders heading the strike that was 43-days-old Monday.
Over the weekend, he announced elite army rangers were being deployed to patrol oil distribution centers and pipelines.
He also threatened to use troops to seize food processing plants idled by the strike and suggested sending soldiers with teachers' degrees to replace striking school staff.
On Sunday, Chavez warned that the armed forces would close any account they have with banks that side with the strike. Last week, several financial institutions closed for two days, and many banks work a half-day schedule in support of the protest.
Chavez had already used troops to seize from strikers installations of Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), the giant state oil company that has been the main target of the strike launched on December 2 in a bid to force Chavez from office.
The embattled president has repeatedly rejected calls for his resignation or snap elections.
He also dismissed opposition plans for a February 2 referendum on his mandate, saying the constitution only allowed for a recall referendum in August, half-way through his six-year term.
His foes accuse the leftist-populist president of wrecking the economy and dividing the country. Chavez, in turn, accuses his opponents of sabotage, for choking the oil industry.
With shipments from the world's fifth largest oil exporter reduced to a trickle by the strike, OPEC agreed Sunday to increase oil production by 1.5 million barrels per day in a bid to curb a surge in prices.