Supporters of Venezuela’s Chavez March Against Ruling on Coup

Tens of thousands of supporters of President Hugo Chavez marched through the capital Saturday to show faith in their leader despite a recession and renewed opposition attempts to remove him from office.

The former army paratrooper organized the march to protest a Supreme Court ruling absolving four military officers accused of leading an April coup. The president’s supporters believe the ruling tried to justify a coup that ousted Chavez for two days and saw the dissolution of the constitution and democratic institutions.

“We cannot keep quiet! We must express our complete rejection of the Supreme Court’s decision,” Chavez told the crowd, punctuating his words by pumping his fists. He joined the 8-mile march as it ended in a rally near Congress.

At least 100,000 people waved Venezuelan flags and carried portraits of Chavez.

One marcher shouted the names of the 11 justices who voted to absolve two army generals, a navy rear admiral and a navy vice admiral, citing lack of evidence. The crowd cried “Out!” after each name. Eight justices voted to indict the officers.

Opposition leaders are seeking ways to oust Chavez before his term ends in 2007. They complain he has fueled class tensions and ruined the economy. Figures released last week show Venezuela’s economy contracted 7% in the first half of the year. Chavez blamed a plunge in oil revenue and the April coup.