Interim head of Venezuela named after Chavez resignation CARACAS, Venezuela (CNN) --The head of Venezuela's largest business association was named leader of an interim government Friday, following the resignation of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez.
The new leader, Pedro Carmona Estanga, is the president of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry. He was one of the most visible leaders of the opposition movement. Chavez has been detained at the army's general headquarters in Caracas, the nation's capital. It was not clear why Chavez was detained. Estanga appeared on television, flanked by all of the top military commanders, saying one of his first acts in office would be to reinstate the workers from state oil company fired by Chavez, which led to deadly protests Thursday. The inspector general of Venezuela's armed forces, Lucas Rincon Romero, announced Chavez's resignation at 3:25 a.m. Friday. He asked the people of Venezuela to "remain calm" and reiterated that Venezuela's armed forces have control of the country. The armed forces demanded Chavez's resignation Thursday after a day of violent demonstrations in which 12 people were killed and dozens more were wounded, according to local television reports. Members of the government -- including Chavez -- are expected to be investigated for their roles in the deaths. The protesters opposed what they said was Chavez's authoritarian regime and the decisions made by his top officials, especially the appointment of a new administration for the oil industry. A senior U.S. official traveling with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell in Israel said the United States is "following very closely what is happening" in Venezuela. "Our interests are in democracy and democratic institutions," the official said. Around 300 to 400 people gathered early Friday outside the Carlota Air Base, chanting and singing in celebration of Chavez's resignation. Local radio reports said armed Chavez supporters plan to confront the demonstrators. So far, there have been no reports of violence Friday. A statement from Chavez was released: "In compliance with the provisions of article 236, paragraph 3, of the Constitution, I hereby remove from their posts the Executive Vice president of the Republic Diosdado Cabello, and all the ministers (who make up) the executive cabinet. "Furthermore, in compliance with article 233 of the National Constitution, I hereby submit my irrevocable resignation from the position of president of the republic, which I have held until today, April 12, 2002. "Issued and signed in Caracas on this twelfth day of April, 2002, 191 years since our Independence and 142 since the establishment of our Federation. "Hugo Rafael Ch�vez Fr�as." The resignations mentioned in the statement left the path open for the army to name a new government. Chavez, 47, took office in 1999 after a sweeping election victory in December 1998. Upon taking office, he promised constitutional reform, an end to corruption and the redistribution of oil wealth. Chavez -- a former army paratrooper who led a bloody 1992 failed coup attempt -- enjoys wide support from Venezuela's poor, many of whom believe Chavez has addressed issues facing them. However, Chavez has been unable to shake his image as a dictator-in-waiting. Critics feared Chavez would use the constituent assembly to dissolve the other two branches of government and change the law so he could stay in office up to 14 years. Find this article at: http://www.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/americas/04/12/venezuela/index.html _________________________________________________________________ Join the world�s largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail. http://www.hotmail.com
