Still reeling from the impact of two dozen radical decree-laws recently issued by Hugo Chávez, the Venezuelan opposition has slammed the surprise package as unconstitutional, with one of its leaders invoking civil disobedience. But the prospects for successful resistance look slim, given the government's virtual stranglehold on the legal system.
Riot police used tear gas Wednesday as they blocked hundreds of Venezuelans protesting what they call new moves by President Hugo Chavez to concentrate his power. The demonstrators said a blacklist barring key opposition candidates from elections and a series of socialist decrees are destroying what's left of their democracy.
Venezuelan food producers on Tuesday protested 26 laws President Hugo Chávez pushed through just before his special legislative powers expired, saying their restrictions on the economic freedom of businesses and consumers are unconstitutional.
Venezuela's central bank sought on Friday to calm fears of faltering banks a day after President Hugo Chávez unexpectedly announced the nationalization of a large Spanish-owned bank, his latest effort to intensify state control over the economy through takeovers of private companies.
With oil enriching Venezuela's coffers, President Hugo Chávez is lavishing billions on other countries, boosting his socialist-tinged image.
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