VOL. XLV

No 33

19-August-2002

VENEZUELA

Tension In Venezuela Rises After Supreme Court Ruling On Coup Officers

Venezuelas supremecourt on 14 August dismissed a case against four senior military officersaccused of rebellion for their part in the short-lived coup against PresidentHugo Chavez last April (MEES, 15April). After the decision, which in effect dismisses the idea that a coup tookplace, supporters of the president staged violent street protests, blockingstreets and setting fire to tires....