The Reemergence of the Venezuelan Armed Forces as a Political Actor
Abstract
On the evening of 11 April 2002, the third day of a general strike, the
Venezuelan armed forces rebelled against their president, Hugo Chávez
Frías. Reacting to the bloody outcome of clashes between pro- and antigovernment
demonstrators near the presidential palace, the commander of
the Army, General Efraím Vásquez Velasco, announced in a nationally
televised address that he would no longer obey presidential orders. General
Vásquez accused Hugo Chávez of preparing widespread repression of antigovernment
strikers and demonstrators and he ordered military units
under his command to disregard further government orders and remain
confined to base. High-ranking generals and admirals soon followed
Vásquez onto the airwaves, expressing their solidarity with his position and
their refusal to support President Chávez. In the early hours of 12 April
2002, the senior military officer in the Venezuelan armed forces, General
Lucas Rincón Romero, announced the resignation of President Chávez and
the formation of a transitional government under the leadership of Pedro
Carmona Estanga, president of the National Federation of Chambers of
Commerce (FEDECAMARAS).
Description
The April Events in Venezuela: A Forum
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.Collections
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