Venezuelan Police Tear Gas Protestors

(AP)  Police fired tear gas to disperse thousands of students demonstrating in Venezuela's capital Thursday, a fifth day of protests against President Hugo Chavez for forcing an opposition TV channel off cable and satellite.

Some of the protesters threw rocks at police in riot gear when officers moved to break up the rally outside the offices of the state-run electricity company.

While charging that the government is trying to curb criticism, the students also used their demonstration to call attention to electricity shortages plaguing much of Venezuela and other pressing domestic problems like double-digit inflation.

University students have taken to the streets daily since Sunday, after government pressure led cable TV services to drop Radio Caracas Television International, which has long been a critic of Chavez's socialist policies.

"We are not going to allow continued shutdowns of media outlets that tell the truth, and we are not going to allow ineptitude and inefficiency to continue," said Nizar El Sakih, a student leader.

Critics of the government say Chavez is responsible for domestic problems ranging from double-digit inflation to violent crime to rolling power blackouts.

The government says RCTV was removed for refusing to comply with a new rule requiring media outlets to televise mandatory programming, including Chavez's speeches.

Chavez accused students of trying to stir up violence as a means of destabilizing his government.

"There are some attempting to set fire to the country," Chavez said in a televised address Thursday. "What are they seeking? Death."

He said unidentified assailants armed with assault rifles shot at National Guard troops Wednesday in the city of Merida, where two soldiers suffered gunshot wounds. A military barracks in the city of Barquisimeto was also attacked, he said.

Chavez vowed to crack down on street demonstrations that turn violent.

"We cannot permit this," he said. "The state and the government must impose authority."

Ten students were accused of fomenting public disorder Thursday in the eastern city of Barcelona - a day after they led protests that ended in clashes with police, Fortunato Herrera, a lawyer representing the students, told the local Globovision TV channel.

Student leader Jonathan Zambrano told Globovision that 22 protesters were arrested in the city of Barinas. The students were released, Zambrano said, after university groups agreed to call off street demonstrations.

Two youths were killed in Merida on Monday - a day after the protests began. Dozens of people have been injured during the week's demonstrations.

[cowardlyimbecile]

Lousy corporations. We can get whatever we need from the fields.

[cowardlyimbecile]

If there's no CIA involvement, that's how you know there's CIA involvement.

[endurorob_5]

We are seeing right before our eye a Socialist nation turning into a fascists nation. And yet there are people still ignorant enough to defend that POS Chavez and blame others for the problems that he has created. Chavez is just another Joseph Stalin, Adolph Hitler, Chairman Mao, Ernesto Guevera. All just socialist fascists willing to sacrifice anyone who apposes their socialist ideaology.

[prajaowain]

What kind of propaganda is this? This is nothing compared to Kent State or even the last Republican National Convention where Amy Goodman was arrested and people were beaten and pepper sprayed.
Also I am sure the C.I.A is behind alot of the political unrest.

[Union76]

Well at least they didn't kill the students like the Ohio National Guard did in 1970 when they murdered four unarmed Kent State College students protesting the Vietnam war on campus.

[cowardlyimbecile]

Yeah! When are we going to go down there and help Hugo? In the name of the community.

[wjksea]

Global corporate plutocracies have an almost satanic way of dividing the people of nations. One can look at how divided the United States has become. The propaganda of global corporate plutocracies is a powerful tool that breaks the resolve of the people and pits them against their better interests. This process enriches a few through the impoverishment of the rest. "Why We Fight" on dvd. Do the republicans still LIKE IKE?

[wjksea]

Global Corporations use the United States system to overthrow democratic or non-democratically elected leaders around the world. Usually it's left wing since left wing tends to have a value system that wastes money on the poor.

[decotoguy]

Does anybody care that Hugo Chavez has been threaten with assassination,coup d'etet,and who knows what else in the pass 12 years?
Now, does anyone know which country had attempt assassination
coup d'etat, and who knows what else??? AMERICA..
The very same country that has 12 military bases in COLOMBIA....
Yes your TAX money went to building American bases in Colombia so to facilitate military action anywhere in South America.
This whole whatever you want to call it, Nation Building,
Building Democracy,Freeing Women from slavery is all BULL-S#IT.....
America is in a TIME IN-TENSE CHASS GAME. It must place each piece
GLOBALLY to offset CHINA INFLUENCE.....Meanwhile honest men are feeling
THREATEN....

[endurorob_5]

And where is your eveidnce of an of these accusations?

[wjksea]

The United States is a game of monopoly which has gone global. Which corporation will eventually win the game. Will it be ACME?