About 2,000 march across Venezuela’s capital to protest imprisonment of Chavez political foes

September 30th, 2009 Venezuela releases student activist, keeps chargesCARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuela released a student activist Monday whose imprisonment was cited as an example of politically motivated prosecutions by President Hugo Chavez's government. The release of Julio Rivas prompted cries of joy from Venezuelans who rallied behind him.

September 23rd, 2009 Chavez: military helped Zelaya return to HondurasNEW YORK — Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says the ousted Honduran president sneaked back to his country with the help of Honduran military personnel. Chavez says ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya traveled by plane, in the trunk of a car and in tractors from Nicaragua to Honduras in a secret operation aided by supporters in the military.

September 16th, 2009 Rights group: Dozens of protesters in prisonCARACAS, Venezuela — Over 2,000 opponents of President Hugo Chavez have gone to trial over the last seven years for crimes stemming from their participation in protests and dozens are currently in prison, a local human rights organization said Wednesday. Alfredo Romero, a representative of the Venezuelan Penal Forum, calls the prosecution of opposition-sided protesters between 2002 and 2009 "political persecution." The rights organization has brought many of the cases to the Netherlands-based International Criminal Court, he said.

September 5th, 2009 Tens of thousands protest Chavez in VenezuelaCARACAS, Venezuela — Tens of thousands marched through Venezuela's capital on Saturday to protest what they call growing authoritarianism by President Hugo Chavez. A few thousand of the president's backers held a separate counter-rally to express support for the government's policies.

September 4th, 2009 Critics march against Chavez across Latin AmericaBOGOTA — Thousands of opponents of Hugo Chavez marched against the Venezuelan president across Latin America on Friday, accusing him of everything from authoritarianism to international meddling. The protests, coordinated through Twitter and Facebook, drew more than 5,000 people in Bogota, and thousands more in the capitals of Venezuela and Honduras.

September 4th, 2009 Multi-city protests call for 'No More Chavez'BOGOTA — Opponents of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez held protests Friday against the leftist leader in cities across Latin America, in an effort coordinated through Twitter, Facebook and a Web site titled "No More Chavez!" They grasped banners and signs with images of Chavez in a straitjacket and wearing a red clown nose. "Chavez, the shame of Bolivia," read a banner in the Bolivian capital of La Paz.

August 15th, 2009 Chavez back from Cuba for Fidel's 83rd birthdayCARACAS, Venezuela — President Hugo Chavez said Friday he found his close ally and mentor Fidel Castro in good health during a visit to Cuba to celebrate the Cuban leader's 83rd birthday. Chavez says they shared a cake.

August 12th, 2009 Foes warn Chavez seeks indoctrination in schoolsCARACAS, Venezuela — Hundreds protested outside Venezuela's legislature Tuesday against an education bill that they charge will open the way for President Hugo Chavez's government to indoctrinate children with socialist ideology. Some 1,000 people chanted "Don't mess with my kids!" and urged members of the predominantly pro-Chavez National Assembly to reconsider the proposed legislation.

August 1st, 2009 Venezuela OKs election law, foes say favors ChavezCARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelan lawmakers have approved a new election law that opponents say favors President Hugo Chavez's party. The law lets the National Election Council, widely perceived as pro-Chavez, redraw the boundaries of voting districts.

July 14th, 2009 Chavez opponents to meet with OAS chiefCARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelan opposition leaders said Monday that they will meet with the secretary-general of the Organization of American States to discuss their concerns about growing authoritarianism under President Hugo Chavez. Caracas Mayor Antonio Ledezma says he and others want to talk with OAS chief Jose Miguel Insulza about actions taken by Chavez that have eroded the authority and funding of elected officials.

July 9th, 2009 Anti-Chavez mayor of Caracas ends hunger strikeCARACAS, Venezuela — The mayor of Venezuela's capital ended a hunger strike Wednesday after the head of the Organization of American States agreed to meet with him and other opposition leaders to discuss moves by the government they say erode their authority. Caracas Mayor Antonio Ledezma's protest fast lasted five days and was aimed at urging the OAS to mediate in Venezuela over moves by President Hugo Chavez that have taken away powers and funding from the mayor and other politicians who oppose his leftist policies.

June 26th, 2009 Chavez: 'Media outlet' concession likely to endCARACAS, Venezuela — President Hugo Chavez made a thinly veiled threat against an opposition television station on Thursday, hours after dozens of protesters took to the streets in a show of support for the network. Without mentioning Globovision's name, Chavez called on the people to be on the alert for a conspiracy "that has to do with a media outlet." "The possibility exists that the concession they hold will come to an end," Chavez said.

June 3rd, 2009 Chavez threatens private banks with sanctionsCARACAS, Venezuela — President Hugo Chavez on Tuesday threatened to sanction private banks that fail to collaborate with his government's regulations as it moves toward a socialist economy. Chavez says that banks are designed to intervene in the financial system and provide credit to people buying houses or producing food, rather than generating massive earnings for their owners.

May 1st, 2009 Police break up anti-Chavez march with tear gasCARACAS, Venezuela — Hundreds of Venezuelan police and National Guard troops broke up a protest march Friday with volleys of tear gas and blasts from water cannons that scattered a crowd of President Hugo Chavez's opponents. Officials said about 20 people were treated for minor injuries, mostly for inhaling gas, while one police officer and a demonstrator suffered small cuts when they were hit by hurled objects.

April 23rd, 2009 Arrest warrant issued for Chavez foe in VenezuelaCARACAS, Venezuela — A Venezuelan court has issued a warrant for the arrest of a former ally of President Hugo Chavez. Prosecutors investigating Eduardo Manuitt say they have discovered irregularities in the purchase of air conditioners for hospitals in 1999, when he was governor of central Guarico state.