Hard Times Bring Venezuelans to Streets

Poor Venezuelans are taking to the streets again to protest hard times, raising fears the country could be facing a repeat of rioting that killed more than 300 people almost three years ago.

The government argues that the economy is finally recovering from the oil industry depression and the debt crisis, but the recent troubles suggest that the poor in this oil-rich nation are not feeling it.

The recent rioting has resulted in a few deaths, but so far it has not produced the levels of violence that occurred in February, 1989, when the poor rampaged in the capital in anger over skyrocketing prices and the lack of jobs. But some officials are worried that it could be an omen of worse times.

At least a dozen disturbances have erupted over the last few weeks:

The town of Los Teques just south of Caracas was virtually shut down by riots involving students from the local university. Protesters burned trucks and flipped cars. A student and a police officer were killed and four others were seriously injured when police opened fire.

* The following morning in the Caricuao area of southwest Caracas, hundreds of students and residents marched to protest the death. Police fired rubber bullets and tear gas.

* Residents of the capital’s “January 22” district fought with police in several small-scale clashes that left one officer and a civilian dead.

The violence was a sobering reminder that all is not well, despite recent improvements in Venezuela’s economy.

Economic output is expected to grow 8% this year. And Venezuela’s success in getting its foreign debt under control is touted as a model for other Third World countries.

But prices are still rising rapidly--about 35 percent a year--and eating away the buying power of the poor. The unemployed and under- or self-employed make up close to half the work force.

“Poverty has increased,” said Juan Jose Delpino, former president of the Venezuelan Workers Federation. “Hunger is visiting the homes of Venezuela more now than it has in years past.”

President Carlos Andres Perez concedes that the country “is living in difficult times,” but he predicts that Venezuela will escape serious violence.

As in 1989, the recent disturbances were triggered by increases in transportation costs.

In mid-October, the base fare on the por puesto, inexpensive mini-buses that transport millions each day, rose to the equivalent of 11 1/2 cents from 8 cents.

At the end of October, gasoline prices rose slightly to about 28 cents a gallon.