- Title: VENEZUELA: A NATIONAL STRIKE GRIPS VENEZUELA
- Date: 10th December 2001
- Summary: (U1)CARACAS, VENEZUELA (DECEMBER 10, 2001) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. LV TRAFFIC ON THE STREET 0.06 2. SLV BANK CLOSED 0.12 3. SLV STORES CLOSED 0.17 4. SLV OFFICE BUILDING CLOSED 0.23 5. SLV PEOPLE WALKING INTO FEDECAMARAS BUSINESS ORGANISATION 0.29 6. MCU (Spanish) OF FEDECAMARAS BUSINESS ORGANISATION'S PRESIDENT, PEDRO CARMONA, SAYING: "The Venezuelan people have responded in a massive way as contenders, joining together in this protest, in protest and in pursuit of corrective changes. The fact that over 90 per cent of all the country has participated is an extraordinary testimony of the themes of this protest that is unprecedented in the modern history of this country." 0.58 7. MCU CAMERAMAN AT NEWS CONFERENCE 1.02 8. MCU (Spanish) CARMONA SAYING: "Small and median businessmen, even workers, have supported in some way this strike, in a way that, if this is in any way a group classist vision, they are mistaken. That is, not wanting to face the reality of a reaction so overwhelming, and so massive as the one the country has shown today as a demonstration and a testimony of what all of the Venezuelan people want." 1.29 9. LV OF RALLY CHEERING VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT HUGO CHAVEZ (2 SHOTS) 1.39 10. LV (Spanish) VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT HUGO CHAVEZ SAYING OVER LOUDSPEAKER: "For our children. The revolution is security for society." 1.55 11. SV CROWD CHEERING 2.00 12. LV/SV (Spanish) VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT HUGO CHAVEZ SAYING OVER LOUDSPEAKER: "Let them not underestimate us, the oligarchs. Some are dreaming that the government of Chavez will be overthrown."/CROWD CHEERING (4 SHOTS) 2.44 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 25th December 2001 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: CARACAS, VENEZUELA
- Country: Venezuela
- Reuters ID: LVADNI97U2COY2PN6MF8QHYYIXG2
- Story Text: As a national strike grips Venezuela, the organisers
have called it a success, despite the defiance of President
Hugo Chavez.
A one-day strike supported by the largest workers'
union gripped Venezuela on Monday (December 10), closing
shops, businesses and banks in a broad show of opposition to
left-leaning President Hugo Chavez and his self-proclaimed
"revolution."
The stoppage, the biggest act of protest to date in
Chavez's three years in office, revealed a nation increasingly
divided over radical reforms introduced by the outspoken
leader.
Pedro Carmona, president of the Fedecamaras business
organisation that called Monday's strike, hailed it as a
powerful but peaceful message to Chavez to change his
policies. Schools, supermarkets and even newspaper kiosks
remained closed, but hospitals still performed emergency
services.
"The fact that over 90 per cent of all the country has
participated is an extraordinary testimony of the themes of
this protest that is unprecedented in the modern history of
this country," said Carmonas.
President Hugo Chavez won a landslide election victory in
1998, six years after failing to seize power in a coup. He
quickly installed a National Assembly and Supreme Court
controlled by his party's supporters.
His opponents have accused the president of seeking to
create a socialist-style economic and political system in
Venezuela with similarities to communist-ruled Cuba, which he
openly admires.
One of Chavez's reforms is a contentious Land Law, to be
launched on Monday, which aims to break up unproductive, large
private estates and distribute idle land to poor peasants.
Critics say the legislation smacks of Cuban-style agrarian
reform and will violate private property.
Business and labour leaders allege the disputed government
reforms will hurt the economy, destroy jobs and scare off
investors.
Fedecamaras President Pedro Carmona denies charges that it
is a class struggle.
"Small and median businessmen, even workers, have
supported in some way this strike, in a way that if this is in
any way a group classist vision, they are mistaken," said
Carmona.
"That is, not wanting to face the reality of a reaction so
overwhelming, and so massive as the one the country has shown
today as a demonstration and a testimony of what all of the
Venezuelan people want," he added.
Meanwhile, President Chavez, a tough-talking former
paratrooper, dismissed the opposition protest as a strike by
rich, corrupt "oligarchs."
He pledged to press ahead with his policies in favour of
the poor and clearly signalled he would not back down from
political confrontation with his opponents.
"Let them not underestimate us, the oligarchs," said
Chavez. "Some are dreaming that the government of Chavez will
be overthrown."
As Chavez, clad in a military uniform, spoke at La Carlota
airport, supporters cheered.
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