Tens o thousands of Venezuelans marched through the capital of Caracas on Saturday to show their support for President Hugo Chavez's decision to shut down an opposition television station.

The march was countering the week-long protests against the closure of Radio Caracas Television (RCTV) channel, which Chavez said was controled by government opponents trying to topple his administration.

Chavez has threatened other broadcasters, radio stations and newspapers covering the protests with unspecified sanctions if they continue to "incite" instability.

Saturday's warning took that a step further, warning the private media he could abruptly end their licenses at any moment.

RCTV was forced off the air May 27 after Chavez refused to renew its broadcast license, citing the channel's conduct during a failed coup in 2002 and alleged violations of broadcast laws.

During a failed 2002 coup against Chavez, RCTV other private channels broadcast opposition calls for protests to overthrow Chavez while giving scant coverage to his return to power amid protests by his supporters.

Source: Xinhua