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Rock throwing, arson as Chavez, Capriles supporters clash at campaign event in Venezuela Violence erupted at an opposition campaign event Wednesday as supporters of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez blocked a road and a campaign truck was torched. Both sides hurled rocks, and police said at least 14 people were hurt. A large crowd of Chavez supporters in red shirts blocked a main road near the airport in the coastal town of Puerto Cabello before a visit by opposition candidate Henrique Capriles. A truck used by Capriles’ campaign was set ablaze, and a motorcycle was also torched. Capriles had been scheduled to visit an area that has traditionally leaned pro-Chavez, and opposition supporters were seen running to take cover during the violence. After the violence, Capriles spoke at an outdoor rally in the town, blaming Chavez and small ‘radical groups.’ « Those actions aren’t spontaneous. There’s someone responsible for those actions, » Capriles told the crowd. « We know that he who turns to violence, it’s that he’s afraid of the other’s ideas, » Capriles added. « We’re tired of violence. » Chavez has recently said his rival has a hidden agenda to impose right-wing measures « that would lead Venezuela to a civil war. » |
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