Chavez Lashes Out at Police After March
President Hugo Chavez threatened Saturday to turn tanks against the capital’s opposition-controlled police force, which he said did nothing to stop marchers from clashing with the National Guard during a two-day summit of developing nations.
Chavez accused his political opponents of “seeking blood” by marching on the Group of 15 summit, where leaders of impoverished countries demanded that industrialized nations dismantle trade barriers.
“If I have to turn tanks on the city police, I will do it,” Chavez said as the summit ended. “I am not going to allow the police to turn into a subversive force.”
One person died and at least 41 were hurt when marchers clashed Friday with guardsmen providing security for the summit. The Caracas police are controlled by Mayor Alfredo Pena, who is allied with the opposition.
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