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Rivals rally over Chavez reforms | Rivals rally over Chavez reforms |
(6 days later) | |
Tens of thousands of Venezuelan students have taken part in rival rallies in the capital, Caracas. | Tens of thousands of Venezuelan students have taken part in rival rallies in the capital, Caracas. |
The demonstrations were part of intensifying campaigns for and against proposals to change the constitution, which go to a referendum on 2 December. | The demonstrations were part of intensifying campaigns for and against proposals to change the constitution, which go to a referendum on 2 December. |
President Hugo Chavez addressed supporters of his plan to expand the president's powers and end term limits. | President Hugo Chavez addressed supporters of his plan to expand the president's powers and end term limits. |
Across town, anti-Chavez students said the plans would give the president too much power and lead to a dictatorship. | Across town, anti-Chavez students said the plans would give the president too much power and lead to a dictatorship. |
A large crowd of Chavez supporters gathered outside the presidential palace, beating drums, wearing red shirts and waving red banners. | A large crowd of Chavez supporters gathered outside the presidential palace, beating drums, wearing red shirts and waving red banners. |
"Here is the demonstration that the students are with the revolution!" Mr Chavez told the crowd. | "Here is the demonstration that the students are with the revolution!" Mr Chavez told the crowd. |
'Bold moves' | 'Bold moves' |
The amendments up for approval also include giving the president control over the central bank, and the creation of new provinces governed by centrally appointed officials. | The amendments up for approval also include giving the president control over the central bank, and the creation of new provinces governed by centrally appointed officials. |
Mr Chavez is also proposing to bypass legal controls on the executive during a state of emergency, bring in a maximum six-hour working day, and cut the voting age from 18 to 16. | Mr Chavez is also proposing to bypass legal controls on the executive during a state of emergency, bring in a maximum six-hour working day, and cut the voting age from 18 to 16. |
Anti-Chavez students say the reforms would restrict freedoms | Anti-Chavez students say the reforms would restrict freedoms |
The planned reforms are widely regarded as the boldest and most controversial moves yet by Mr Chavez, says the BBC's James Ingham in Caracas. | The planned reforms are widely regarded as the boldest and most controversial moves yet by Mr Chavez, says the BBC's James Ingham in Caracas. |
Mr Chavez has built up a solid base of support by using Venezuela's oil revenues to fund thousands of "communal councils" that are meant to expand citizens' control over decisions in their neighbourhoods. | Mr Chavez has built up a solid base of support by using Venezuela's oil revenues to fund thousands of "communal councils" that are meant to expand citizens' control over decisions in their neighbourhoods. |
"This reform guarantees that our quality of life will improve," said one Chavez supporter. | "This reform guarantees that our quality of life will improve," said one Chavez supporter. |
"It guarantees power for the people through the community councils. Young people are participating in this revolution." | "It guarantees power for the people through the community councils. Young people are participating in this revolution." |
But anti-Chavez student protesters said if the reforms were passed basic freedoms would be taken away. | But anti-Chavez student protesters said if the reforms were passed basic freedoms would be taken away. |
"This reform is not more power to the people, it's more power to the government," one protester said. | "This reform is not more power to the people, it's more power to the government," one protester said. |
"It's more power to one person and it's a reform that doesn't resolve, that doesn't solve the problems of Venezuela, doesn't solve the problems of society." | "It's more power to one person and it's a reform that doesn't resolve, that doesn't solve the problems of Venezuela, doesn't solve the problems of society." |
Unlike some previous demonstrations, these ones passed off peacefully. | Unlike some previous demonstrations, these ones passed off peacefully. |
On 7 November, unknown assailants fired shots on students returning from another demonstration. | |
A week earlier, troops used tear gas and water cannon to disperse thousands of students protesting in Caracas against the proposed amendments. |
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