Fw: Revolution imminent in Venezuela???

["Nello Margiotta" <animarg@tin.it>]

 ----- Original Message ----- 
From: "grok" <grok@sprint.ca>

 
 Subject: Revolution imminent in Venezuela???
 Date: 08 Oct 2002 16:26:04 -0700
 
 
 Military Coup Attempt Imminent in Venezuela
 
 A military coup attempt against Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez
 is imminent, according to STRATFOR sources in Caracas and the
 United States. The attempt could be launched within days or even
 hours.
 
 The Chavez regime already has deployed hundreds of soldiers
 throughout Caracas. The government also has begun conducting
 raids on the homes of politicians and military officers
 suspected of direct involvement in the plot.
 
 Interior and Justice Minister Diosdado Cabello said Oct. 8 that
 the deployment of soldiers and light armored vehicles throughout
 Caracas since late Oct. 5 is necessary to "defend the
 constitution" and prevent the opposition from blocking main
 roads and highways if a coup is attempted.
 
 Sources in the Chavez regime are confident that the government
 has the firepower to suppress a rebellion, but opposition
 sources with direct knowledge of coup preparations say that the
 regime's military opponents have the capability to neutralize
 Chavez's supporters inside the armed forces.
 
 Confirmation of an imminent effort to oust Chavez comes less
 than 48 hours before a planned Oct. 10 protest march in Caracas.
 Some opposition groups predict the march will attract between
 600,000 and 1 million people demanding Chavez's resignation and
 new national elections.
 
 Opposition business and labor groups also have agreed to a one-
 day national work stoppage against Chavez, most likely during
 the first week of November.
 
 Chavez has said repeatedly during the past two weeks that the
 Oct. 10 march is part of a conspiracy to topple him.
 Simultaneously, the government has unleashed an escalating
 campaign of harassment and intimidation against political
 opponents. The Chavez regime also is warning that violence is
 likely at the march in an effort to discourage people from
 taking part.
 
 Meanwhile, dozens of business owners have been flooded with
 anonymous telephoned death threats and warnings that their
 companies could be looted and burned if they allow their workers
 to march against Chavez or if they shut down their companies to
 protest the regime, according to sources at two business
 associations in Caracas, including one that represents foreign
 companies operating in Venezuela.