Pro-Government Demonstrators Rally in Caracas

www.voanews.com VOA News 23 Jan 2003, 17:23 UTC

Tens of thousands of pro-government demonstrators are rallying in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas to show support for President Hugo Chavez. The rally Thursday, comes after the Supreme Court on Wednesday indefinitely blocked the opposition from holding a referendum next month on Mr. Chavez's rule.

Mr. Chavez had opposed the vote, saying the constitution only allows for a referendum in August, halfway through his term, and the opposition must wait until then for the vote. A general strike in Venezuela is now in its 53rd day. Strike leaders have urged the opposition to stay away from Thursday's demonstration in an effort to avoid possible violence. Six people have been killed in clashes between the rival political sides since the start of the strike.

President Chavez on Wednesday suspended foreign exchange trading for five days in an attempt to bolster the nation's sagging currency, the bolivar, which has lost more than 24 percent of its value this month.

International representatives are to gather in Washington to help find a solution to the crisis. The newly formed six-nation "group of friends" of Venezuela is to hold its meeting Friday at the headquarters of the Organization of American States.