Chavez supporters invade offices of Caracas Archdiocese

Published: 2008-02-28

BOGOTA, Colombia (CNS) -- About 15 hooded supporters of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez invaded the offices of the Archdiocese of Caracas, Venezuela, and held a news conference criticizing government opponents, including the church. The protesters entered the offices in central Caracas just before 9 a.m. Feb. 27, demanding that the media publish a statement of their views on the church and other issues. They threw pamphlets out the building's windows, made announcements with a loudspeaker and did not permit employees to leave the building, Auxiliary Bishop Jesus Gonzalez de Zarate Salas of Caracas told Catholic News Service in a telephone interview. Bishop Gonzalez said the protesters were not armed or violent and did not threaten employees or damage property. "We just let time run, so that whatever happened, happened," he said.

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