Venezuela Blames Explosions on Insurgents
Wednesday October 8, 2003 4:16 PM
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - Simultaneous explosions at a military airfield and an army base were the work of opposition groups seeking to undermine President Hugo Chavez, the government said.
Defense Minister Jose Luis Prieto said Tuesday the explosions were planned to ``generate alarm and provoke fear in the civilian and military population.''
In the first incident, two gasoline tankers were ignited and blew up Sunday night at the Francisco de Miranda air force base in Caracas, the capital.
The second blast shattered windows at a restaurant in the Fuerte Tiuna army base in Caracas, Prieto said in a statement.
The explosions have raised fears of more political unrest as Venezuela's opposition seeks a recall vote against Chavez.
Information Minister Jesse Chacon blamed the blasts on opposition groups who ``don't believe in the recall'' and are seeking a ``violent outcome'' of the political crisis.
The defense ministry said the explosions could be related to bombs that damaged the Colombian consulate, the Spanish Embassy, and the offices of the state oil company.
Opponents are pressing for a recall referendum to end Chavez's six-year rule, which runs to 2007. They accuse the former army paratrooper of amassing power, ruining the economy and fomenting class hatred. Chavez says a corrupt political elite is trying to regain power.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-3239745,00.html
Wednesday October 8, 2003 4:16 PM
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - Simultaneous explosions at a military airfield and an army base were the work of opposition groups seeking to undermine President Hugo Chavez, the government said.
Defense Minister Jose Luis Prieto said Tuesday the explosions were planned to ``generate alarm and provoke fear in the civilian and military population.''
In the first incident, two gasoline tankers were ignited and blew up Sunday night at the Francisco de Miranda air force base in Caracas, the capital.
The second blast shattered windows at a restaurant in the Fuerte Tiuna army base in Caracas, Prieto said in a statement.
The explosions have raised fears of more political unrest as Venezuela's opposition seeks a recall vote against Chavez.
Information Minister Jesse Chacon blamed the blasts on opposition groups who ``don't believe in the recall'' and are seeking a ``violent outcome'' of the political crisis.
The defense ministry said the explosions could be related to bombs that damaged the Colombian consulate, the Spanish Embassy, and the offices of the state oil company.
Opponents are pressing for a recall referendum to end Chavez's six-year rule, which runs to 2007. They accuse the former army paratrooper of amassing power, ruining the economy and fomenting class hatred. Chavez says a corrupt political elite is trying to regain power.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-3239745,00.html