Gunfire erupts after Venezuelan students protest against Chavez

[Praxius]

A supporter of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez points a pistol toward two of the president's opponents during clashes at Venezuela's Central University in Caracas, Wednesday.
(Gregorio Marrerro/Associated Press)

Gunfire erupts after Venezuelan students protest against Chavez

Gunmen opened fire on students returning from a march Wednesday in which 80,000 people denounced President Hugo Chavez's attempts to expand his power. At least eight people were injured, including one by gunfire, officials said. Photographers for the Associated Press saw at least two gunmen — one wearing a ski mask and another covering his face with a T-shirt — firing handguns at the anti-Chavez crowd. Terrified students ran through the campus as ambulances arrived. National Guard troops gathered outside the Central University of Venezuela, the nation's largest and a centre for opposition to Chavez's government. Venezuelan law bars state security forces from entering the campus, but Luis Acuna, the minister of higher education, said they could be called in if the university requests them. The amendments would abolish presidential term limits, give the president control over the Central Bank and let him create new provinces governed by handpicked officials. The protesters demand the referendum be suspended, saying the amendments would weaken civil liberties in one of South America's oldest democracies and give Chavez unprecedented power to declare states of emergency. "Don't allow Venezuela to go down a path that nobody wants to cross," student leader Freddy Guevara told Globovision. Chavez, who was first elected in 1998, denies the reforms threaten freedom. He says they would instead move Venezuela toward what he calls "21st century socialism." The Supreme Court is unlikely to act on the students' demands, given that pro-Chavez lawmakers appointed all 32 of its justices. Hundreds of National Guardsmen and police in riot gear were posted along the march route to prevent clashes between protesters and Chavez sympathizers, but they were restricted from entering the campus.

Looks like they are hitting their limit for tollerance as him being leader and the decisions he is making. As I doubt he will be elected out easily, I wonder if the poeople will seek some form of assistance to gain control back and return the country as they want.

[tinybear]

Some form of assistance? Assistance from who and in what form?

[Praxius]

Quote by: tinybear Some form of assistance? Assistance from who and in what form?

That depends on what they ask for, if they ask for anything.

[HelioPrime]

I'm sure the US would be happy to offer asistance as long as the people promise to make a better oil offering.

If Chavez still holds the best oil offer then we will offer no more than harsh words.

[Dieval]

Quote by: HelioPrime I'm sure the US would be happy to offer asistance as long as the people promise to make a better oil offering. If Chavez still holds the best oil offer then we will offer no more than harsh words.

As Chavez is now in charge of the nationalized oil industry of Venezula...how can the people offer a better deal when he controls everything?

[HelioPrime]

Quote by: Dieval As Chavez is now in charge of the nationalized oil industry of Venezula...how can the people offer a better deal when he controls everything?

They can always allow US companies to step in set up operation? I'm sure if the US offered insurgents enough guns and ammo they might sell of their souls and oil fields.

[Praxius]

Naw, with the track record so far with the US and other countries with oil, they'd be better off dealing with Canada We have cookies.

[tinybear]

I'm sure the big oil companies don't mind if there's massive upheaval in Venezuela. In fact they'll be rubbing their hands in glee and laughing all the way to the bank. It's the ordinary Venezuelan citizen who will suffer.

[The Decider]

Quote by: Praxius [Looks like they are hitting their limit for tollerance as him being leader and the decisions he is making. As I doubt he will be elected out easily, I wonder if the poeople will seek some form of assistance to gain control back and return the country as they want.

Prax, on the other Venezuela thread you said "I have no need to be critical of Chevez or Venenzuela at this time in my life, because they have not done anything directly to affect my way of life to the point where I need to speak out."

Yet now you're speaking out. Why? You don't have faith in Venezuelan democracy anymore?

[HelioPrime]

Speaking out is different than offering commentary.

[The Decider]

Quote by: HelioPrime Speaking out is different than offering commentary.

How so? Commentary, critique, speaking out--what's the difference when an opinion is offered? In this case, the OP is critical of Chavez, a man defying "the people" as represented by the protesting students. In the other Venezuela thread, Praxius portrayed Chavez as a man dependent upon elections--"the people" could just remove him. Now, in this thread, "the people" face a leader who will not be "elected out easily." I see a contradiction, that's all.

[rmnunez]

Caracan marches YVKE Mundial :: Ver noticia - Varios heridos en la UCV por agresión opositora contra estudiantes

[tinybear]

Quote by: The Decider How so? Commentary, critique, speaking out--what's the difference when an opinion is offered? In this case, the OP is critical of Chavez, a man defying "the people" as represented by the protesting students. In the other Venezuela thread, Praxius portrayed Chavez as a man dependent upon elections--"the people" could just remove him. Now, in this thread, "the people" face a leader who will not be "elected out easily." I see a contradiction, that's all.

Hey, you know what they call "a leader who will not be elected out easily"? A dictator. :)

[Compugasm]

Firing into a crowd of 80,000 and only injuring eight, is a worse percentage than Imperial Stormtroopers. That regime won't last long with those numbers.

[Praxius]

Quote by: The Decider Prax, on the other Venezuela thread you said "I have no need to be critical of Chevez or Venenzuela at this time in my life, because they have not done anything directly to affect my way of life to the point where I need to speak out." Yet now you're speaking out. Why? You don't have faith in Venezuelan democracy anymore?

That's right... I have no need to be critical. I don't care until it becomes a potiential threat outside of their own country. It is their country, let them decide which path they take before anybody decides to interfeer.... that's what borders are about.

I am still not being critical, as I am pointing out the obvious above in which you quoted.

I haven't gone off and said that the people of Venenzuela are fools or they should accept what's happening.... nor am I saying Chevez has the right approach or the wrong approach.

They decide what happens in their country, much as you guys do or anybody in my country.

When they start seeking outside assistance, then you may hear my opinion on the matter, which is what I am talking about.... AKA: the potiential of thing possibly becoming a little more out of control and them seeking assistance. If they give up the fight and go along with what Chevez has planned.... then so be it..... we can then discuse the outcomes of that...... but I'm not about to judge the entire country or government on a few decision making applications.

Now before you say anything about my outspoken views on the US, the US is beyond decision making processes, has been in full swing action for the last few years and has been affecting the countries around them and abroad. Different levels.

[Praxius]

Quote by: tinybear Hey, you know what they call "a leader who will not be elected out easily"? A dictator. :)

Shall we delve down this path of who are dictators and not being able to be voted out easily? Who won two rigged elections back to back and still is in power today?

I'll give you one guess and it rhymes with Push.

Of course the President of Pakistan is guilty of this as well.

[Dieval]

Quote by: tinybear It's the ordinary Venezuelan citizen who will suffer.

How so?

[tinybear]

Quote by: Praxius Shall we delve down this path of who are dictators and not being able to be voted out easily? Who won two rigged elections back to back and still is in power today? I'll give you one guess and it rhymes with Push.

Nah, that's a special case and he's just one helluva lucky guy. :)

[tinybear]

Quote by: Dieval How so?

Well, when things go bad, the first one to suffer is the ordinary guy.

[Apeman81]

Maybe Spiccoli can go down there and help "Pacify" the students.