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/7120133.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Students stage anti-Chavez rally Students stage anti-Chavez rally
(about 4 hours later)
Thousands of students in Venezuela are holding a final rally ahead of Sunday's referendum on President Hugo Chavez's controversial constitutional reforms. Hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans have held a protest against Sunday's referendum on President Hugo Chavez's controversial constitutional reforms.
The crowds gathered in Caracas oppose the planned changes, which include the removal of presidential term limits.The crowds gathered in Caracas oppose the planned changes, which include the removal of presidential term limits.
They accuse Mr Chavez of a power grab but supporters say the changes will deepen Venezuela's democracy.They accuse Mr Chavez of a power grab but supporters say the changes will deepen Venezuela's democracy.
It is the latest in a series of student-led protests and correspondents say the "no" campaign is gaining force. It is the latest in a series of student-led rallies, ahead of the "yes" campaign's final march on Friday.
Earlier this month, troops used tear gas and water cannon to disperse a rally, and last week gunmen opened fire on a peaceful protest march. However, correspondents say the "no" campaign is gaining force.
Students preparing to march from the Central University of Venezuela in Caracas were not deterred, and said they would do all they could to defeat the referendum. No official crowd estimates were available but an opposition politician put the figure at about 160,000.
A student leader Stalin Gonzalez told local media the show of opposition was to avoid "a continued polarisation of the country and a divided society". 'Divided society'
Waving flags and banners and singing, the huge crowds of protesters staged a peaceful march through the capital's streets.
One female demonstrator told the BBC: "Although I don't think that all the things that President Chavez has done are bad... I don't like when the government imposes things."
KEY PROPOSALS Indefinite re-election of president, term increased from 6 to 7 yearsPresident granted control of Central BankStructure of country's administrative districts reorganised Official working day cut from 8 hours to 6 Voting age lowered from 18 to 16Social security benefits extended to workers in informal sector The students say they want the referendum postponed to give voters more time to study the plans.
However, the government has described the demonstrations as an opposition effort to destabilise the country ahead of the referendum on 2 December.
Earlier this month troops used tear gas and water cannon to disperse a rally, and last week gunmen opened fire on a peaceful protest march.
Students preparing to march from the Central University of Venezuela in Caracas were undeterred, and said they would do all they could to defeat the referendum.
A student leader, Stalin Gonzalez, told local media the show of opposition was to avoid "a continued polarisation of the country and a divided society".
DestabilisingDestabilising
The government has described the demonstrations as an opposition effort to destabilise the country ahead of the referendum on 2 December. If Hugo Chavez wins the referendum he will have the right to stand for re-election an unlimited number of times.
Student demonstrators clashed with police earlier this monthThe students say they want the referendum postponed to give voters more time to study the plans. Student demonstrators clashed with police earlier this monthHe has said he is prepared to serve for life as long as the people want it.
The amendments up for approval include giving the president control over the central bank, and the creation of new provinces governed by centrally appointed officials. The BBC's James Ingham in Caracas says that is just one concern of opponents, who fear that in the future anyone disagreeing with the government will be penalised.
President 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. Other changes up for approval include giving the president control over the central bank, and the creation of new provinces governed by centrally appointed officials.
The Venezuelan congress - dominated by Chavez supporters - recently voted through the reform package. 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.
If the reforms are approved in the referendum, they will become law. A number of key defections from the president's camp have encouraged opponents - but Mr Chavez has dismissed these one-time allies as traitors.
Our correspondent says the president has made it personal, telling the populace that choosing "yes" is a vote for him and a "no" is a vote against him.