Venezuela crisis solution no closer, clashes flare
CARACAS, Venezuela - Six weeks into a strike against Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, a solution to the political deadlock over his rule seemed no closer on Monday as fresh street clashes inflamed simmering tensions in the world's No. 5 oil exporter.
Police fired tear gas and a water cannon to disperse hundreds of Chavez supporters protesting against the strike in western oil-rich Zulia State. National Guard troops also repelled government sympathizers who attacked an opposition delegation with stones in central Caracas.
The clashes were the latest outbreak of violence in an escalating opposition strike aimed at forcing populist Chavez to resign. The shutdown has slashed Venezuela's vital oil exports, causing widespread domestic fuel and food shortages and jolting world energy markets.
U.S. oil prices rose 58 cents to $32.26 on Monday despite a pledge from the OPEC oil exporters cartel to increase output to compensate for the Venezuelan crisis.
But 43 days into the stoppage the government and opposition appeared no nearer to making a deal on elections that might restore stability to South America's largest oil producer.
International pressure is increasing for a solution to the conflict in Venezuela, which usually provides about 13 percent of U.S. oil imports. The crunch in Venezuela's petroleum supply comes as Washington prepares for a possible attack on Iraq.
Opposition leaders on Monday gave a lukewarm response to a fledgling initiative, first broached by Brazil, for a "group of friends" from regional nations to help broker an accord. Talks chaired by the Organization of American States have so far failed to reach an agreement on elections.
Chavez administration officials have welcomed the idea. The U.S. also last week backed the group of friends plan although it is not clear which nations would take part.
"We might agree to a group of friends, not of Chavez, not of the government, but of Venezuela, which are two different things. This initiative must be in tune with OAS negotiations," anti-Chavez union boss Manuel Cova told Reuters.
But other opposition leaders in Caracas questioned the initiative and said it could confuse negotiations.
Talks possible in Quito Timoteo Zambrano, an opposition negotiator visiting Washington, told Reuters that he opposed Brazil and Colombia taking part because they were neighboring countries. He mentioned Mexico, Peru and Canada as possible participants.
Brazil's leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva recently angered the opposition when he sent gasoline to Venezuela to offset shortages caused by the strike, a move Chavez foes described as unfriendly.
U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela Charles Shapiro said on Monday that presidents from the region could discuss the group of friends initiative when they meet in Quito on Wednesday for the swearing-in of new Ecuador president Lucio Gutierrez.
After traveling to Ecuador, Chavez is scheduled to hold talks with United Nations chief Kofi Annan in New York on Thursday, U.N. officials said.
Former paratrooper Chavez, elected in 1998, has faced an increasingly determined opposition campaign against his self-styled "revolution" for the poor since April when he survived a brief coup by rebel military officers.
But opponents say Chavez must step down for failing to deliver on his election vow to ease poverty in Venezuela, where most people benefit little from the nation's huge oil wealth.
Opposition leaders have promised to maintain the shutdown until Chavez quits. But the tough-talking leader has refused to step down. He has sent troops to control oil installations and threatened a crackdown on businesses, banks and schools involved in the strike.
Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez said on Monday the strike had cost Venezuela about $4 billion, battering an economy already in deep recession. Oil sales provide about half of government revenues.
Major private manufacturing industries, shopping malls and cinemas have stayed closed and most private schools have failed to open this year. But commerce is bustling in the center of Caracas. Even businesses in opposition strongholds have begun to open amid frustrations over the shutdown.
Accusing Chavez of corruption and dictatorial rule, his foes are demanding elections and also a nonbinding referendum on his rule on Feb. 2. They hope a referendum defeat for Chavez would give more weight to their call for elections.
But Chavez has challenged the referendum in the Supreme Court. He says the constitution only allows a binding referendum on his mandate in August -- halfway through his current term.
Please send your comments or feedback to newsfeedback@abs-cbn.com