Twelve Anti-Government Protesters Killed in Venezuela - 2002-04-12

During clashes yesterday between Venezuelan soldiers and anti-government protesters in the streets of Caracas, at least twelve people were killed and 90 injured. According to some reports, several snipers were seen shooting at the protesting crowd. Hugo Chavez, the President of Venezuela, has taken refuge inside the presidential palace and ordered his loyal soldiers to surround the palace. He claims there is no risk of being ousted from the presidency because the people of Venezuela and the army support him. Nevertheless, at least eleven senior officers from various branches of the armed forces, including the Deputy Minister of Public Safety, joined the protesters in calling for Chavez's resignation, accusing him of damaging the army's reputation by ordering snipers to shoot at demonstrators. However, the President of Venezuela is not willing to resign. In a televised speech, Chavez condemned the protesters and blamed the country's media for inciting unrest. Venezuela is the fourth-largest oil exporter in the world and the third-largest foreign supplier of oil needs to the United States. The recent crisis in Venezuela stems from a dispute between the country's oil industry workers and Chavez over the management of the state oil company.