Car bomb explodes in Venezuela

www.iribnews.com 3/3/2003 10:28:48 AM

Caracas, March 3 - A car bomb exploded just blocks away from a chevron office in northwestern Maracaibo oil field Sunday, police and firefighter officials said.

Nine people inside the house where the explosion occurred -- including a local strike leader -- escaped unharmed, but the bomb caused severe damage to nearby buildings, authorities said late Sunday.

The car was parked outside the home of Antonio Melian, who participated in the crippling oil workers' strike designed to oust President Hugo Chavez, and who the police said had been "a very controversial figure" in the area.

The explosion came five days after twin attacks against the Colombian and Spanish embassies on February 25 which injured four.

President Hugo Chavez in his 'Alo Presidente' radio program blamed would-be "coup" leaders for the attacks, and said Venezuela was conscious it has a battle against "terrorism" on its hands. An opposition lawmaker warned that the car bomb could be an indication that Venezuela's conflict was being "Colombia-ized." Wreckage from the car was flung some 150 meters out, hitting neighboring houses, local media reported.