Venezuelan Is Unyielding, Warning Businessmen

www.nytimes.com By GINGER THOMPSON

CARACAS, Venezuela, Jan. 19 — Despite mounting international pressure to resolve the political conflict that has pushed this country to the brink of anarchy, President Hugo Chávez hardened his public stand against his opponents today.

In appearances throughout the weekend, Mr. Chávez hinted that he would use military force if necessary to break a strike, now entering its eighth week, that has crippled most of the formal economy and caused shortages of food and fuel. Today, he appointed two loyal military officers to top security posts and threatened new raids on businesses he accused of hoarding essential goods. Advertisement

Mr. Chávez stirred international outrage late last week when he ordered national guard troops to seize private warehouses full of soft drinks, beer and bottled water, charging that the companies, including a Coca-Cola bottling affiliate and Venezuela's largest food corporation, with holding back food staples to support the strike.

Officials for the companies, however, responded that they had shut down operations after the strike started because of fuel shortages and security concerns.

In his weekly television appearance today, Mr. Chávez said he might intervene again. "Some businessmen have reflected and have started to open their factories," he said. "Those who refuse, who resist, well, be sure that today, tomorrow, or after we will raid your warehouses and stockpiles."

His comments came as new rounds of negotiations were to begin Monday between Mr. Chávez and a coalition of business people, union leaders and civic groups that began the strike in an effort to force the president from office. They accuse him of being an authoritarian leader who has undermined the country's four decades of democracy. They have vowed to keep up the strike until he agrees to call elections.

The strike has shut down most oil wells and refineries in Venezuela, the world's fifth largest exporter, cutting off supplies.

Negotiations overseen by the secretary general of the Organization of American States, César Gaviria, have dragged on since November. Last week, Mr. Gaviria's work was reinforced by the formation of a so-called group of friendly countries, including the United States, Mexico, Chile, Brazil, Spain and Portugal. On Monday, former President Jimmy Carter is scheduled to meet with Mr. Chávez and opposition leaders.

Mr. Carter reportedly spent this weekend on a fishing trip with Venezuela's most powerful businessman, Gustavo A. Cisneros, considered a key figure in the opposition against Mr. Chávez.

Mr. Chávez has denounced the opposition as "oligarchs" and "coup plotters." In his television broadcast today, he appointed Gen. Lucas Rincón, a former defense minister and former armed forces chief, as interior minister. He also appointed Gen. Jorge García Carneiro as the new chief of the army — the most powerful branch of the armed forces — replacing Gen. Julio García, who had held the post since an unsuccessful coup against Mr. Chávez in April.

Both generals are close allies of Mr. Chávez, himself a former lieutenant colonel.