Venezuelans unfurl protest over Chavez presidency
www.orlandosentinel.com By Susan Jacobson | Sentinel Staff Writer Posted January 20, 2003
Latin music filled the air at Lake Eola Park on Sunday as several hundred people gathered to protest the government of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
The afternoon took on a festive air as participants danced and waved the red, blue and yellow flag of Venezuela.
Many also wore shirts, hats and bandannas bearing the colors and white stars of the flag, and some even had mini-flags painted on their faces.
"We just wanted to get together to pray and try to seek out positive energy to try to get back our country," said Ana Zorrilla, 28, who attended the rally with her two young children.
The gathering was sponsored by the Venezuelan Society of Orlando.
Organizers planned to get signatures on letters to President Bush, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Organization of American States Secretary General César Gaviria, asking for their help.
In Miami, tens of thousands of Venezuelan exiles took to the streets Saturday to protest the actions of Chavez, comparing him to Cuban leader Fidel Castro and likening his recent actions to terrorism.
About 50,000 protesters jammed into the predominantly Cuban neighborhood of Little Havana, calling for the ouster of Chavez, who opponents say is dissolving the country's long-standing Democratic structure.
The Venezuelans were joined by Cuban-Americans and sympathizers from other Latin American nations.
Miami police reported no injuries or incidents of violence at the rally, which stretched for about five hours.
In an effort to force Chavez from office, Venezuelan business and labor groups are in the seventh week of a strike that threatens to destroy the country's economy.
Venezuela's opposition launched the strike Dec. 2 to demand that Chavez resign or call early elections if he loses a Feb. 2 nonbinding referendum on his rule.
In Orlando on Sunday, Alexandra Boszko was not shy about her feelings.
"I want him [Chavez] out," she shouted over the noise of the crowd.
Jessica Mann of the Sentinel staff contributed to this report. Wire services also were used. Susan Jacobson can be reached at sjacobson@orlandosentinel.com or 407-931-5946.