Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, December 09, 2002
Two Million People March in Caracas Backing Chavez
Nearly two million people took to the streets in Caracas on Saturday in support of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Saturday, and they also rejected the general strike call by the opposition.
Nearly two million people took to the streets in Caracas on Saturday in support of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Saturday, and they also rejected the general strike call by the opposition.
The demonstrators also denounced Friday night's acts of violence in Caracas' Altamira Square that left three people dead and 29 others injured.
They turned down the strike call in the oil sector made by employers' organization Fedecamaras and the Confederation of Venezuelan Workers (CTV) in the main ports of the country.
The demonstrators made a call for dialogue and peace among Venezuelans and opposed a possible coup attempt that would provokeforeign intervention in the South American country.
William Lara, president of the National Assembly, called on theopposition "to cease the strike" and return to the democratic path.
Joining in the march, Lara said the demonstration was "the major reaffirmation of people committed to democracy."
"The same people that defended democracy on April 13 is here demanding an end to acts of terrorism and sabotage against the oilindustry and the country," he said. "They are asking to put an endto such attacks as those taking place yesterday."
The opposition-called general strike entered its sixth day on Saturday, becoming the longest work stoppage in Venezuela's history.