WAIT AND SEE Meanwhile Caracas is in wait-and-see mode. Its inhabitants still talk about latent class hatred between the poor western and posh eastern halves of a city that may explode in unrest. Rich districts store arms and chains to mount barricades. Chavez-loyal soldiers have confiscated the heavy weapons of the opposition-run Caracas metropolitan police. Soldiers stand guard outside police stations. Downtown Caracas is a Chavez stronghold of street peddlers, run-down buildings, graffiti and garbage. The presidential palace is a heavily guarded mansion surrounded by troops and road blocks. But nearby his supporters seem confident. "The people are with Chavez. They know he's fighting the rich who are responsible for all this mess," said Antonio Lopez, selling children's toys on a street corner.
A few miles away to the east the atmosphere is different. "Don't Despair" reads one banner on the windows of an expensive dried flower shop in an upmarket Caracas mall. "We feel hemmed in now," said Flor, a retired woman who said she was too worried about recriminations to give her full name. She strolled by the flower shop, her neck laden with jewelry. "But don't count us out. We'll be back."***
Jorge Valero, Venezuela's ambassador to the Organization of American States, said his country wants to expand the group, which now includes the United States, Brazil, Chile, Spain, Mexico and Portugal.
Foreign Ministry officials from those countries met privately in Brazil's capital Monday to discuss ways to ease tensions in Venezuela following the arrest of business leader Carlos Fernandez in February and warrants issued against eight other opposition leaders.
The nine opposed President Hugo Chavez during a general strike that lasted two months. Valero said the strike has cost Venezuela some US$5 billion in damages and lost revenue.
The meeting was led by OAS General-Secretary Cesar Gaviria of Colombia and included Timoteo Zambrano, a representative of the Democratic Coordinator opposition movement.
Zambrano said Chavez was "inventing excuses" to avoid calling early elections, which he refuses to accept. He said Gaviria should have a more decisive role in the meetings.
In January, Chavez met with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and suggested expanding the Group of Friends, citing France, Russia, Cuba and China as possible new members. Brazil led opposition to changes, on grounds they would upset the political balance of the group. [End]