Rebel colonel 'under arrest'

News Interactive From correspondents in Caracas, Venezuela 21apr03

POLICE in Venezuela have reportedly arrested one of 14 military officers who publicly opposed President Hugo Chavez last year. Army Colonel John Giussepe Piglieri was arrested in a shopping centre in the city of Maracay, north-east of Caracas, his sister-in-law said.

Nardick de Diaz told the Globovision network he was transferred to an army base in the city.

The colonel was one of 14 officers that declared themselves "in rebellion" against the Chavez government in October, and was among officers who camped at the Plaza Altamira, a centre of opposition activity during a lengthy general strike that attempted to oust Chavez.

The only other officer arrested for his open opposition to Chavez, a general with the militarised National Guard police, Luis Alfonso Martnez, has been under house arrest since December 30.

Piglieri faces charges of rebellion and dereliction of duty for abandoning his command.