Violence breaks out at opposition campaign event in VenezuelaSeptember 12, 2012 - 21:04 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Violence broke out at an opposition campaign event in Venezuela on Wednesday, Sept 12, as supporters of President Hugo Chavez blocked a road and a campaign truck was torched. Both sides hurled rocks, The Associated Press reported. Hundreds of Chavez supporters in red shirts blocked a main road near the airport in the town of Puerto Cabello. A truck used by the campaign of opposition candidate Henrique Capriles was on fire, and a motorcycle was also torched. Capriles had been scheduled to visit an area that has traditionally leaned pro-Chavez. Capriles supporters were seen running to take cover during the violence. It wasn't immediately clear if people were injured, though ambulances arrived in the area. Some of the red-shirted government supporters went into the airport compound and carried away speakers and a generator. Capriles had been flying to the airport for the event, and his whereabouts weren't immediately clear. A station wagon filled with Capriles' campaign fliers also was trashed as people broke the windows, ripped out the headlights and began to pull out parts from under the hood. The campaign fliers were left scattered on the ground. Carabobo state Gov. Henrique Salas Feo, a Chavez opponent, condemned the violence on television saying, "The country needs peace." National Guard troops arrived at the airport after the violence. Tensions have sporadically erupted into violence ahead of the Oct. 7 presidential vote,in which Chavez is seeking another six-year term. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |