Venezuela Dismisses U.S. Pressure for Chavez Vote ***CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) - Venezuela's vice president on Tuesday rejected U.S. calls for President Hugo Chavez to sign an agreement for a referendum on his rule, saying the government did not "give a damn" about foreign pressure. Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel, a close ally of the populist leader, dismissed statements by U.S. officials that Chavez should accept the internationally brokered deal for a referendum after middle of August this year. "Venezuela is not a colony. So, regarding what other people say about Venezuela, those who are not Venezuelans, we don't give a damn," Rangel told reporters. "An agreement will be signed voluntarily ... not under any foreign pressure." ***
Chavez Blames Foes for Shooting Death [Full Text] CARACAS, Venezuela - President Hugo Chavez blamed his political foes Sunday for provoking a shooting spree that resulted in a man's death during an opposition march last week. Chavez said the May Day violence was the latest attempt by his opponents to destabilize Venezuela and undermine his presidency.
"It's the same format, the same script, the same characters," Chavez said, drawing similarities with a failed military coup against him last year and a series of high-profile killings in recent months. On each occasion the opposition has blamed civilian deaths on violent supporters of the government and said a climate of impunity has prevented those responsible from being convicted.
Ricardo Herrera, a 46-year-old construction worker, was shot and killed at Thursday's rally by an unknown gunman who escaped on a motorcycle. Police have made several arrests in connection with the shooting. Cofavic, a Venezuelan human rights group, said Saturday that political violence is on the rise and attributed the problem in party to a lax justice system. Cofavic said 57 people have been killed and over 300 injured by gunfire in politically motivated violence since the failed coup in April 2002. Almost all the killings remain unsolved and no connection linking either the government or the opposition to any of the deaths has been established. [End]