- Sep 6, 2000
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CARACAS, Venezuela ? Top military commanders rebelled against President Hugo Chavez last night after police and armed Chavez supporters fired upon a march by 150,000 opposition protesters near the presidential palace. At least 12 persons were killed and as many as 110 wounded in that protest, officials said.
There were news reports that Mr. Chavez was preparing to leave the country, and three executive jets were seen preparing for takeoff at La Carlota military air base, which usually closes after dark. Televised reports that Mr. Chavez and his family were leaving could not be confirmed. A Chavez spokeswoman denied the reports, saying the president was meeting with officials at the palace. Small tanks guarded the palace as caravans of armored troop vehicles patrolled Caracas streets and highways.
A Venezuelan general said the Chavez government had "abandoned its functions" and the South American country was under the control of the armed forces, Reuters news agency reported. National Guard Gen. Alberto Camacho Kairuz made the announcement on local television after senior military officers blamed the president for violence during the huge anti-Chavez protest.
Army Cmdr. Gen. Efrain Vasquez Velasco ordered all his commanders to join him in rebellion against the Venezuelan president.
"We ask the Venezuelan people's forgiveness for today's events," he said. "Mr. President, I was loyal to the end, but today's deaths cannot be tolerated." More than 40 other high officers joined the rebellion, including Gen. Kairuz, vice minister for citizen security.
CARACAS, Venezuela ? Top military commanders rebelled against President Hugo Chavez last night after police and armed Chavez supporters fired upon a march by 150,000 opposition protesters near the presidential palace. At least 12 persons were killed and as many as 110 wounded in that protest, officials said.
There were news reports that Mr. Chavez was preparing to leave the country, and three executive jets were seen preparing for takeoff at La Carlota military air base, which usually closes after dark. Televised reports that Mr. Chavez and his family were leaving could not be confirmed. A Chavez spokeswoman denied the reports, saying the president was meeting with officials at the palace. Small tanks guarded the palace as caravans of armored troop vehicles patrolled Caracas streets and highways.
A Venezuelan general said the Chavez government had "abandoned its functions" and the South American country was under the control of the armed forces, Reuters news agency reported. National Guard Gen. Alberto Camacho Kairuz made the announcement on local television after senior military officers blamed the president for violence during the huge anti-Chavez protest.
Army Cmdr. Gen. Efrain Vasquez Velasco ordered all his commanders to join him in rebellion against the Venezuelan president.
"We ask the Venezuelan people's forgiveness for today's events," he said. "Mr. President, I was loyal to the end, but today's deaths cannot be tolerated." More than 40 other high officers joined the rebellion, including Gen. Kairuz, vice minister for citizen security.
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