Opposition leader proposes 24-hour protest in Venezuela's interior

www.vheadline.com Posted: Monday, January 27, 2003 - 3:43:58 AM By: Robert Rudnicki

Alianza Bravo Pueblo president and Coordinadora Democratica spokesman Antonio Ledezma is proposing a repeat of this weekend's 24-hour protest in the east of Caracas, to be held in the interior of Venezuela. Ledezma says he'll hold discussions with his fellow opposition leaders to examine the possibility of organizing similar protests in Barquisimeto, Maracay, Maracaibo, Merida, San Cristobal and Valencia. 

If the decision to hold the protests is taken,  it is possible that they will simultaneous ... "it's necessary to hold a simultaneous marathon civil protest, above all when Foreign Ministers representing the Friends of Venezuela group arrive in Caracas on January 30."

Movimiento al Socialismo secretary general Leopoldo Puchi also backed the proposal, stating that such a 24 or 48-hour demonstration would put pressure on President Hugo Chavez Frias to reach a negotiated settlement to the crisis.

A high level delegation of the six friends of Venezuela members, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Portugal, Spain and the United States are set to arrive in Caracas on Thursday as part of their mission to push through a negotiated settlement.