Violence in Caracas…
Students in Caracas protested today after realizing that they did not want to live under a Marxist Chavez regime for the next 25 years.
Venezuelan riot police shelter behind their shields during a clash with students at a protest against constitutional reform in Caracas November 1, 2007. (Reuters)
The AP reported on the constitutional crisis:
The amendments would give the government control over the Central Bank, create new types of cooperative property, allow authorities to detain citizens without charge during a state of emergency and extend presidential terms from six to seven years while allowing Chavez to run again in 2012.
Let’s face it, with Chavez in total control and with the government completely behind him, it may already be too late for Venezuela.
El Universal has video of the violence:
The students were very angry at this point.
Venezuelan National Guard troops used water, tear gas, and plastic bullets to break up the demonstration of university students and teachers that marched in Caracas today.
Venezuelan students march during a protest against constitutional reform in Caracas November 1, 2007. (Reuters)
The BBC reported on the crackdown:
Venezuelan troops have used tear gas and water cannon to disperse thousands of students in the capital, Caracas. The students are demonstrating against constitutional reforms proposed by Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez.
One of the reforms would abolish term limits for the presidency, thus allowing President Chavez to stand for re-election indefinitely.
The students want a December referendum on the reforms to be postponed, to give voters more time to study the plans.
Leaders of the protest have been granted a meeting with Tibisay Lucena, the president of the National Electoral Council to discuss their demands.
The protest follows a similar demonstration on 24 October, in which at least five demonstrators suffered minor injuries after riot police acted to disperse the crowds.
Venezuelan students hurry away from a protest against constitutional reform in which students clashed with police in Caracas November 1, 2007. (REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins)
Venezuela News and Views has a roundup on the violence.
Michelle Malkin has the protest photo of the day.
Jammie Wearing Fool has more photos from the clashes.
