FILE-Venezuelan general strike leader Carlos Fernandez seen in a file photo of Dec. 2, 2002, in Caracas, Venezuela. Fernandez was seized at a restaurant by gunmen who identified themselves as secret police agents, late Wednesday, Feb 19, 2003. (AP Photo Marcelo Hernandez, File)
Armed Men Capture Venezuela Strike Leader*** CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) - Armed men, apparently from the Venezuela state security police, on Thursday captured a business chief who led a strike against President Hugo Chavez after a judge ordered him and a union boss arrested for rebellion, opposition leaders said.
Eight heavily armed men grabbed Carlos Fernandez at a restaurant in eastern Caracas early and fired shots in the air to keep back protesters before bundling him into a car, witnesses and opposition representatives said.
Foes of Chavez quickly condemned the order to detain Fernandez, the head of the Fedecamaras business chamber, as intimidation by the leftist leader they accuse of wielding power like a dictator.
"This is one more demonstration of intimidation," said opposition negotiator Rafael Alfonzo. "This is completely outside of the law," he said.
A judge told state television that Fernandez and union chief Carlos Ortega, who spearheaded the two-month opposition strike started in December to try and oust Chavez, were ordered detained for civilian rebellion, sabotage and other charges.
An official from the security police could not immediately confirm that officers from the agency were involved in the incident.***