Venezuelan Coup meeting resistance
national |
miscellaneous |
news report 
Sunday April 14, 2002 01:44
by C.
Things in Venezuela are not going to plan. The Army is standing up to the new 'Interim' president demanding he retain the legislature and South American states are not falling into line.
Widespread protest in the capital Caracas in support of Chavez are taking place, giving the lie to the supposed popular support for the coup.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/justin/nat/newsnat-14apr2002-18.htm
The Interim president, oil executive Pedro Carmena seems to be losing the support of the Army
with sections having demanded that he retains the legislature formed under Hugo Chavez democratic constitution. There are reports that a new president has been sworn in.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/justin/nat/newsnat-14apr2002-12.htm
In another development, the OAS (the organisation of American States) is discussing introducing economic sanctions against the new government - which could cause major headaches for the US given the importance of Venezuelan Oil as a non-middle eastern source.
http://www.theage.com.au/breaking/2002/04/14/FFXV35TSZZC.html
Comments (1 of 1)
Jump To Comment: 1AFP (with additional material by Reuters). 13 April 2002. Interim
Venezuelan president seeks protection in military fort: official.
CARACAS -- Venezuela's interim president, Pedro Carmona, opted for the
protection of a military fort in Caracas Saturday, leaving the
presidential palace, which was surrounded by thousands of protesting
supporters of ousted president Hugo Chavez, the administration
spokesman
said.
"(Carmona) is protected within Fort Tiuna," Jesus Briceno told Union
Radio from the presidental palace. That is the same fort where Chavez
was held Friday.
Earlier, several dozen Venezuelan soldiers at a barracks opposite
Miraflores presidential palace raised their weapons and berets and
hailed a crowd backing overthrown President Hugo Chavez as provisional
government ministers fled the palace on Saturday.
A Reuters journalist inside the palace accompanied a minister of the
government which took power after Friday's coup as officials fled
through a tunnel. The newly appointed transitional president, Pedro
Carmona, was at military headquarters elsewhere in Caracas, officials
said.
The group of soldiers visible at balconies and windows at the barracks
waved as the crowd of several thousand pro-Chavez protesters shouted
"Victory, victory for the people!"
Two soldiers standing guard at the palace gates also waved to the
crowd.
At one point a group of about six soldiers left the barracks and posted
a Venezuelan flag outside, drawing wild cheers from the crowd.
Meanwhile, Chavez was taken Saturday to the Caribbean island of La
Orchila, off Venezuela's coast, his daughter Maria Gabriela Chavez told
a Cuban television station by telephone.
Speaking from Venezuela and citing "very good sources," Chavez said
"they are harassing him, treating him badly."
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