Venezuela Claims to Have Frustrated New Coup

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, October 10, 2002

Venezuela Claims to Have Frustrated New Coup

The Venezuelan government on Wednesday said it had frustrated a new coup d'etat planned to take place during a protest march on Oct. 10.

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The Venezuelan government on Wednesday said it had frustrated a new coup d'etat planned to take place during a protest march on Oct. 10.

Head of the Venezuelan Revolution Guillermo Garcia said two parties, Democratic Action (AD) and Copei, headed the coup plot.

According to Garcia, the plotters were planning an attack with mortars and grenades against the Tiuna Fort, Caracas' most important military facility, as well as the presidential Miraflores Palace and Congress.

He explained that following raids on houses of generals, admirals and civilians involved in the April 11 coup grenade launchers and explosives were seized.

Garcia said those involved were attempting to create an illegalgovernment by bloodshed and to provoke the intervention of international organizations.

"We have activated our security plans and are in touch with merchants and neighborhood leaders to prevent looting," Garcia explained.

Opposition business leaders, labor unions and politicians accuse Chavez of leading the country into economic recession and pitting rich against poor with his leftist rhetoric.

It is said that during the march, Chavez opponents will urge him to act before Oct. 21 to set new elections. But the business leader was vague about what would happen if he didn't meet the deadline, saying the opposition's response could range from more protests to a general strike.

Chavez was ousted briefly in April during a coup d'etat that caused nearly 30 deaths. The military-staged coup lasted three days and ended with Chavez's return to the presidency with the support of his sympathizers. The political chaos has damaged the economy of the world's fifth oil exporter and weakened investor's confidence.

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