Venezuelan opposition extends strike into 52nd day

www.alertnet.org 21 Jan 2003 22:47

CARACAS, Venezuela, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Venezuelan opposition leaders on Tuesday extended for a 52nd day a protest strike aimed at forcing leftist President Hugo Chavez to quit and stage elections in the world's No. 5 oil exporter.

The opposition stoppage, which began Dec. 2, has cut deeply into Venezuela's vital petroleum production, slashed the government's economic lifeline and pushed world oil prices to two-year highs of more than $34 a barrel.

"It has been 51 days since this national protest began ... Not one step backwards," opposition leaders said in a statement.

Strikers, including rebel managers at state oil firm PDVSA, have vowed to keep up the shutdown until Chavez resigns. But in a signal the oil stoppage could be weakening, some tanker pilots in the key export hub of Lake Maracaibo have returned to work, officials and shipping agents said.

Chavez, who was elected in 1998 and survived a coup in April, has refused calls for immediate elections. He rejects charges from foes his government has been marred by corruption, economic mismanagement and authoritarian rule.