Venezuela commemorates the 2002 failed coup (updated)

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Venezuela commemorates the 2002 failed coup

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Caracas, 11 April, 2008. From today and up to the 13 April 2008, Venezuelans commemorate the events that led to the failed coup of 2002 when 19 died and more than a 100 got injured. During the attempted coup, President Hugo Chavez was briefly overthrown by the business association leader, Carmona Estanga, in alliance with Opus Dei, the private media, the US and the right wing of the army. To the astonishment of the coup organizers, Chavez restitution took place few days later with mounting public support. However, the opposition attempted once more against the Chavez administration with a general strike few months later. After affecting the oil industry badly, the opposition realized later the strike was to no avail.

This time, the opposition plans to organize rallies around the world to remind people of the threads pose by the Chavez regime. The government sector, will display its muscle in public  demonstrations in Caracas.   However, up to this day there are many questions to be politically answered. Cases related to the coup are still pending in the justice system. Victims wait for fair and objective trials.  Some of Chavez former allies-like General Isaias Baduel,  the ex wife of Chavez, Marisabel Rodriguez or ex Mayor Alfredo Peña - are no longer at his side. In addition, confronted with mounting inefficiencies in the public sector the Chavez socialist project was rejected -last year- in a referendum on constitutional reform. It now attempts to regain public support for the local elections due by the end of this year. Some socialist reforms are enacted by decree instead of constitutional reform.

PS: On Saturday April 12, there was a military parade in Caracas to celebrate the return of legitimacy in 2002. New civil batallions were created. The poeple´s power and strength has been hailed by governmental sources on different TV shows.

Sources: El Universal, VTV, Globovision, Unionradio, RNV, ABN, Telesur, Venezuelanalysis,