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Venezuelan vice president-designate says new coup attempt possible*** The Venezuelan vice president-designate said the government had evidence of a new coup attempt being hatched in the country, including a plot to kill President Hugo Chavez. "We have information that there exist determined people who are preparing a new adventure," Defense Minister Jose Vicente Rangel, who has been chosen by Chavez to become Venezuela's next vice president, told a commission of the National Assembly.

Chavez was briefly removed from power last month as a result of a civilian-military coup, but he was quickly restored to power when the coup fizzled after key military units refused to support it. "I have important information about some people, who still believe they can persuade some military units to take part in a new adventure aimed at seizing power," Rangel told the commission that is probing last month's coup attempt. The defense minister did not name names or publicly present any specific evidence. But he indicated that his information was "well-founded" and came "from impeccable sources."***

Venezuelans of all stripes take to the streets again***But the president's opponents say Chávez has rigged the democratic rules in his favor. Under the Constitution, he cannot be forced from office in a referendum until 2004. Without a referendum, his term of office will not end until 2007. "Chávez hasn't respected the rules of the game. So we feel there should be a constitutional amendment to shorten his term," says Mr. Ocariz. With government and opposition at loggerheads, neither has much time to debate the country's declining economy or widespread poverty.

Some activists have suggested that the opposition form a new coalition party to confront the president. But according to Mr. Leon, such an alliance will be doomed: "How can you reconcile the different opposition groups behind one party? The moment they try to present their national project, they will split," he says. According to Mr. Keller, those with most to gain may be the existing parties - the only groups with nationwide networks and experience in political maneuvering.***