In Venezuela, Chavez Starts Shuffling Disloyal Officers***Mr. Chávez, who returned to office on Sunday with the help of loyal officers, has replaced top generals and reorganized the high command of the navy, which had led the anti-Chávez movement in the military. "He is trying to strengthen his hold on the top people," said Fernando Ochoa, a former defense minister and member of an organization of retired military officers who have been sharply critical of Mr. Chávez. "He's been dedicated to putting people loyal to him in those positions, people who would help him." Mr. Chávez, 47, who reached the rank of colonel during his army career, has insisted that the armed forces firmly support him. He has said that some officers who appeared at news conferences last Thursday to denounce him had been manipulated by higher-ups.***
Castro asked embassies in Venezuela to stop Chavez from immolating himself, Bolivarian cadre and Honor Guard*** HAVANA - During the confused first hours of last week's coup in Venezuela, Cuba asked diplomats from Spain and 21 other countries to help prevent President Hugo Chavez and his supporters from sacrificing themselves, Fidel Castro said in a statement Friday.
Castro said in the note appearing in the Juventud Rebelde newspaper that his foreign ministry contacted representatives of foreign missions in Cuba and Venezuela early April 12 to "prevent Chavez from immolating himself in the Miraflores Palace, as he was proposing, with the 300 Bolivarian cadre (supporters) and the Honor Guard accompanying him."
Chavez considers Castro a friend and at one point during the crisis did talk with him on the telephone, Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque confirmed last week. He refused to give details. Castro's statements appeared to be in response to news reports from Spain, citing Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar about contacts with Cuba during the Venezuelan crisis.***