Opposition leaders say the assault is on La Guaira after Petare showdown

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Tuesday, June 03, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Most opposition political parties say they support next week's "Assault on Petare" one hundred percent and promise to go the whole hog with or without municipal permission. 

Coordinadora Democratica (CD) leader, Enrique Mendoza  says he will obtain permission to hold a public rally from Metropolitan Mayor Alfredo Pena, if Sucre Mayor Jose Vicente Rangel Avalos refuses ... "no public official can prohibit a pacific protest and Pena is a higher authority." 

Proyecto Venezuela (PV) leader, Jorge Sucre challenges the government, warning that the government knows it has lost support in Petare and has resorted to the threat of armed groups to keep protestors off the streets. 

Primero Justicia (PJ) leader, Carlos Ocariz joins the opposition chorus that people in Petare no longer support President Chavez Frias. 

Alianza Bravo Pueblo (ABP) president, Antonio Ledezma has announced that he will lead a march on Thursday to protest the government media content law and laughs at the proposed government Public Protest Law ... "the security zones didn't work nor will a new law .. the government hasn't learned its lesson." 

Showing he is far more gung-ho than other opposition leaders, Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS) leader, Leopoldo has jumped one step ahead announcing that after Petare, the opposition will lead an assault on La Guaira (Vargas). 

On a more timid note, former MAS leader and current Union party leader Luis Manuel Esculpi says his party is preparing legal actions against the proposed Public protest law.