This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/8239340.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Thousands stage anti-Chavez demos | |
(about 6 hours later) | |
Protests against Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez have taken place in cities across Latin America. | |
Demonstrations were organised by Colombian activists after Mr Chavez criticised Colombia for allowing US forces access to seven military bases. | |
The Venezuelan leader has already frozen diplomatic relations with Colombia and blocked bilateral trade. | |
Protest organisers used a number of social networking sites to organise the "No more Chavez" demonstrations. | |
Facebook and Twitter were the prime means for organising the demos against the Venezuelan leader. | |
An estimated 5,000 people took part in protests in the Colombian capital Bogota, and thousands more in the capitals of Venezuela and Honduras. | |
Smaller demonstrations were held in other Latin American capitals, as well as in New York and Madrid. | |
In Venezuela, President Chavez's supporters also marched through the capital, Caracas, to show their solidarity with the socialist leader. | |
In Colombia, protesters took to the streets in more than 20 cities, many carrying placards depicting Mr Chavez as a dictator and a friend of Colombia's Marxist rebels, says the BBC's Jeremy McDermott in Bucaramanga. | |
New party | |
There has been controversy in Colombia, with revelations that a political party loyal to Mr Chavez is being established in the country, allegedly with the support of local Venezuelan officials, our correspondent adds. | |
Protesters are angry not only about Mr Chavez's comments on Colombia's relations with the US military, but also his moves to block trade between Venezuela and Colombia. | |
"It is a worldwide manifestation, which begins in Colombia but many countries have joined," said one anti-Chavez demonstrator. | |
"It is important that we show the world we are not with Chavez." | "It is important that we show the world we are not with Chavez." |
Supporters of President Chavez held a rival demonstration in Caracas | |
In Venezuela the president's supporters held rallies of their own, one of them in the Plaza Bolivar in Caracas. | |
Among those addressing the crowd was Freddy Bernal, a key leader of the president's United Socialist Party. | Among those addressing the crowd was Freddy Bernal, a key leader of the president's United Socialist Party. |
He spoke out for what he called the Bolivarian revolution, essentially a set of socialist ideals linked to the 19th century Venezuelan revolutionary leader, Simon Bolivar, and much referred to by President Chavez. | |
"If we have to march a thousand times, or be out on the streets all year round, then we'll do it," he said. "Because this revolution is non-negotiable and is not up for sale." | "If we have to march a thousand times, or be out on the streets all year round, then we'll do it," he said. "Because this revolution is non-negotiable and is not up for sale." |
The BBC's Will Grant in Caracas says conflict over Mr Chavez is nothing new. | |
But many Venezuelans are becoming disillusioned with the extent to which both sides seem to focus more on protests than policies, our correspondent adds. |