Costa Rica is evaluating whether to grant Ortega territorial asylum, which would allow him to live in the country, Lizano said. Venezuela would grant safe conduct to Ortega if he is granted territorial asylum, Interior Minister Lucas Rincon said. Chavez said on state television that Ortega's asylum request "demonstrated the criminal character" of the strike leaders. "They are sabotagers and terrorists who greatly harmed the country," he said. At the same time, hundreds of flag-waving supporters gathered around the Costa Rican embassy in eastern Caracas chanting, "Ortega, friend, the people are with you!" ***
Everyday, Faria appears in television advertisements pleading with Caracas residents not to waste water. Hidrocapital swore in 100,000 kids as "water guardians." Their job is to warn family and friends against wasting water. The basin that feeds the Camatagua reservoir, the source of over half the capital's supply, hasn't received rain for months.
"I've never seen it this low," said Juan Quintero, a fishing guide at Camatagua, 37 miles (60 kilometers) from Caracas. According to Luis Olivares, a meteorologist at the Cajigal Observatory, which measures rainfall and weather conditions in Venezuela, said 58.8 millimeters (2.3 inches) of water fell in Venezuela's central region during November and December. None has fallen since. ***