The United States intervened yesterday in the Venezuelan crisis by calling for early elections. The call from the White House came as a national strike entered its 13th day and after clashes between supporters and opponents of President Hugo Chavez in the capital, Caracas.
”The United States is deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation,” the White House said in a statement which added that there were fears of violence if the stand-off was not resolved. ”The United States is convinced that the only peaceful and politically viable path out of the crisis is through the holding of early elections.”
Referring to the fatal shootings of three demonstrators last week, the statement said: ”The Venezuelan people deserve better … We urge a peaceful, democratic, constitutional and politically viable electoral solution to Venezuela’s crisis.” American citizens have been advised to leave the country or remain in their homes.
The opposition, which is backed by business, the major union group and the private media, wants Chavez to agree to immediate elections.
Chavez, who won an overwhelming mandate for a six-year term in 1998, has said that he would win any snap election but under the constitution he is entitled to remain at least until a referendum on his rule in August.
America’s public intervention is the latest stage in the escalating crisis which has reduced oil supplies and brought thousands of protesters from both sides on to the streets. The intervention will be regarded with suspicion by President Chavez’s supporters who blame the US for colluding in the April coup which briefly ousted him from power.
Pilin Leon, the former Miss World, was the latest public figure to show her support for the opposition. Supporters of the president say that they are fearful of a military coup and were yesterday organising to take to the streets around the palace if this was attempted.
As fears of fuel shortages grew the national guard patrolled petrol stations. Both sides took to the streets again yesterday in separate demonstrations.
Talks continued yesterday between both sides through the director general of the Organisation of American States, Cesar Gaviria. Gaviria, the former Colombian president, said that time was running out and called for a compromise. – Guardian Unlimited Â