Thousands of demonstrators supporting or opposing Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez took to the streets of Caracas on Saturday as the country commemorated the 52nd anniversary of the end of
military rule.
The demonstrations also came as the campaign for parliamentary elections at the end of 2010 began. The official campaign, however, will
start on April 14.
Chavez supporters gathered outside the state-run telephone company CANTV, Sucre Square and Nueva Granada Avenue and began to march toward O'Leay Square in central Caracas at midday.
Meanwhile, opposition supporters gathered at several locations in west Caracas and marched toward Petare before midday.
More than 5,500 police were watching over the marches. There has been no report of violence so far.