VENEZUELA: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez rallied hundreds of thousands of supporters in Caracas this weekend to protest against a court ruling that appeared to open the door to his impeachment.
"Justice, Justice" chanted the huge crowd, many of them wearing president Chavez's trademark red beret.
"Let's see the opposition hold a rally like this one" said vice-president José Rangel, "but let's see them march without the intention of pulling off another coup."
Mr Chavez survived a coup attempt in April but rebellious officers were cleared last week by the Supreme Court of any wrongdoing.
"They attempted a violent coup" said Mr Chavez, "now the legal coup is on its way".
"The April coup plotters, particularly those who planned it, are the (economically) privileged groups with international connections, and continue to search for ways to derail the revolution and stage an economic coup," Mr Chavez said.
Opposition lawyers have begun legal proceedings to put Mr Chavez on trial for the death of 18 people killed during the unrest, 11 of whom were Chavez supporters.
The embattled president called on supporters to "wage war by referenda", activating a petition system which would oblige elected representatives to compete in fresh mid-term elections.
The rally concluded outside parliament where Chavez supporters urged legislators to hold an inquiry into the supreme court ruling. A group of Chavez legislators, who enjoy a parliamentary majority, have already voted for an inquiry.