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| Latin America |
| Hugo's boyz grap weapons from the cops... |
| 2003-01-16 |
| Soldiers loyal to President Hugo Chavez seized submachine guns and shotguns from Caracas' police department yesterday in what the opposition mayor called a bid to undermine him. Federal interference in the capital's police department is one reason Venezuela's opposition has staged a strike — now in its 44th day — demanding early elections. Yesterday's raids stoked already heated tensions in this polarized nation. Greater Caracas Mayor Alfredo Pena said the weapons seizure stripped police of their ability to control street protests that have erupted almost daily since the strike began Dec. 2. Five persons have died in strike-related demonstrations. A smaller district police force used tear gas yesterday to separate pro- and anti-Chavez protesters. Officials said two protesters were injured. Every time Hugo does something tactless like this, it pushes him a little closer to the dustbin of history... |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |