After carrying out a two-week "national strike," or lock-out, and despite a helping hand from Associated Press and other media agencies, the Venezuelan elite has so far failed to force populist President Chavez to resign. In implementing reforms which benefit primarily the poor, Chavez has inspired well-funded opposition by oil barons and other business leaders, union bureaucrats and portions of the military, with the complicity of corporate media. Thousands of Venezuela's poor have rushed into the streets to prevent the "coup of the rich."

The Organization of American States has voted overwhelmingly to reject any future coup attempt in Venezuela or alteration of that nation's constitution. US religious and labor organizations and some members of Congress have asked President Bush, who had previously called for unconstitutional "early elections," to support democracy by opposing any move to oust Chavez by force. In San Francisco on 12/18, around 50 protesters gathered at noon at the Venezuelan consulate to show support for Chavez and the Venezuelan democratic process. Photos Read more: 1 2 3