Venezuela Campaigns Take to Streets
Venezuelan politics are going through an acid test this week with opposition parties demonstrating in the capital during the presidential elections campaign for next December 3.

About 2500 security troops were mobilized this Saturday to protect the four marches up to the central Libertador avenue, called in Caracas by the opposition candidate Manuel Rosales the governor of Zulia, a wealthy oil state.

The "avalanche" demonstration was a contrast with the "red wave" that recently filled Bolivar Avenue backing a Hugo Chavez re-election.

Chavez s commando campaign had called for a "Red Caravan" Sunday through Caracas streets as well as other demonstrations inside the South American country.

The dignitary promised to garner 16 million votes out of a population of 26 millions inhabitants to back up his changes and strengthen the socialist character of the next government.

The first eight years have been dedicated to social programs and better distribution of wealth.

In the search of attracting some dissatisfied people s votes, Rosales promised to distribute part of the national oil revenue among the poor and lower middle class through debit cards.