April 14, 2002

Venezuela president back in power

CARACAS, Venezuela (CNN) --President Hugo Chavez has reclaimed power in Venezuela, just two days after being forced from office.

In a televised address he promised to unite the country and denied an announcement made by the military on Friday that he had resigned.

Chavez was forced from office after he ordered the army to quell anti-government protests and 12 demonstrators were killed.

Initially Chavez was replaced by Pedro Carmona, a businessman and economist, only for him to be replaced by Chavez's vice president DiosdadoCabello, when he tried to dissolve the National Assembly.

Cabello was sworn in as the head of government but he now appears to have stepped aside for Chavez's return.

Cabello has told national radio he would remain as president until Chavez can be reinstated.

Three thousand members of the National Honor Guard -- which protects the presidential palace and has remained loyal to Chavez -- regained control of the presidential residence hours before Carmona's resignation became official.

Chavez returned to the palace on Sunday on helicopter and was seen surrounded by bodyguards.

Jubilant pro-Chavez supporters gathered outside the palace, Miraflores, ahead of his return waving flags and singing the national anthem.

in a televised address he said: "There are a lot of urgent things to take care of now. We must fix that light that has been broken. I call for peace. I call for strength within all Venezuelans."

And despite its role in his temporary removal from office Chavez praised the military saying: "Our military forces ... have a heart. I was never mistreated.

"I have learned a lot from our military forces. By listening to them I felt like a soldier once again."

Chavez, who led a bloody 1992 failed coup attempt, now enjoys wide support from Venezuela's poor, many of whom believe he has addressed issues facing them.

He took office in 1999 after a sweeping to election victory in December 1998 promising constitutional reform, an end to corruption and the redistribution of oil wealth.

Venezuela is the world's No. 4 oil exporter and the second biggest source of oil to the United States.

Washington blamed Chavez for provoking the crisis, while several Latin American leaders, including the heads of Peru and Mexico, said during the crisis they would not recognize the new government until elections were held.

The leaders of Argentina, Mexico and Paraguay -- meeting in San Jose, Costa Rica -- said Saturday they would not recognize any new leaders in Venezuela until elections are held there.