Venezuela: Opposition Mobilises

The government of Venezuela has accused the opposition of radicalising the issues instead of discussing them, as an initiative by Cesar Gaviria, Secretary-General of the Organisation of American States, failed to prevent a general strike.

The strike was called by the opposition, fuelled by the discontented middle class who are opposed to the policies of President Hugo Chavez. The Democratic Coordinator (Co-ordenador Democratico, the United Opposition) called the general strike on Monday, which has been strongly criticised by Hugo Chavez.

Vice-President Jose Vicente Rangel called the strike a “terrorist” act which was led by a “coup d’etat” mentality. It will be remembered that the last general strike in April, called by the same sectors, was followed by the failed coup against Hugo Chavez, which some believe to have been planned in the USA.

Marcia MIRANDA PRAVDA.Ru BRAZIL