Chavez supporters, opponents clash in Caracas
Supporters of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Saturday clashed with his opponents who demanded electoral reform before parliamentary elections later this year.

With smoke bombs, rocks, bottles and fireworks, hundreds of opponents of Chavez clashed with his sympathizers in the center of the Venezuelan capital. Six people were injured.

Saturday's conflict was the most serious in months between Chavez's supporters and foes.

The situation in the Latin American country has been relatively calm since August 2004 when Chavez won a referendum and was able to continue to serve as Venezuela's president.

But opponents now claim the referendum was tainted by fraud and Venezuela's electoral board is controlled by Chavez supporters and must be overhauled before National Assembly elections in December.

Supporters say Chavez's programs are "revolutionary" and aimed at using the vast oil reserves in Venezuela to help the poor who had been ignored by previous governments.

Chavez said earlier this month that his opponents would not be able to present "one single piece of evidence" of fraud because "it is all a lie."

He also said Venezuela's electoral system is one of the most transparent in the world.

Chavez's victory in the recall referendum in 2004 was jointly endorsed by international observers including former US President Jimmy Carter and representatives of the Organization of American States.