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Chavez decrees temporary confiscation of private transport *** CARACAS, Venezuela - President Hugo Chavez branded striking oil workers as traitors sabotaging Venezuela's oil-based economy and issued a decree allowing temporary seizure of private transport to ensure deliveries of food and gas. "We must always be alert, ready to defend our revolution," Chavez told thousands of supporters late Wednesday at a Caracas arena. He said the strikers "have aligned themselves with treason," and he vowed to remain in power as long as Venezuelans want him there.

Chavez, who commandeered some private truck fleets on Dec. 8 to deliver gas, expanded on that order with a decree allowing civilian and military officials to temporarily seize any vehicle that delivers gas, oil or food - including trucks, boats and aircraft - to end strike-caused shortages. Chavez ordered inspections of businesses to determine if any were hoarding goods such as milk, rice or medicine. Those doing so could be fined. His decree, dated Tuesday and published late Wednesday, cited threats to national security caused by shortages of essential goods. ***