Neighbors Block Police From Arresting General

Venezuelan secret police tried to arrest an army general who had urged the military to disobey any orders to quell an anti-government protest, but hundreds of neighbors swarmed around him to block the officers, a TV broadcast showed.

Gen. Manuel Rosendo is under investigation in connection with the April coup that briefly ousted President Hugo Chavez.

The government has dispatched hundreds of troops to deter violence during a march today that opposition leaders have said they will use to demand early presidential elections.