In a colorful sea of flags and placards, tens of thousands of protesters marched though Caracas today to demand President Hugo Chavez resign three months after the fiery left-wing leader survived a chaotic, short-lived coup.
Opposition parties, union officials and business leaders marched toward Miraflores Presidential Palace, raising fears of a repeat of the violence that killed at least 17 people when gunmen fired on a similar anti-government rally hours before the April coup.
Hundreds of troops and police formed a ring of security five blocks from the palace backed by scores of barricades, an armored personnel carrier and a water cannon vehicle.
Officials reported no violent incidents. But tensions flared as the rally passed pockets of pro-government supporters and protesters urged police to let them to march to the palace. "On to Miraflores, on to Miraflores," protesters cried.
Mr Chavez, an outspoken former paratrooper, left Caracas earlier to travel about 60 miles to attend a military ceremony at Maracay, a stronghold of his support within the armed forces.
The large Maracay military base played a central role in restoring Mr Chavez to power 48 hours after rebel military and civilian leaders ousted him in April.
In a national television broadcast late last night, Mr Chavez moved to soothe fears of violent clashes between his supporters and foes and urged the opposition to join talks aimed at bridging the nation's bitter political divide.
"I am calling on everyone to stay calm ... calm, prudence, patience. I'm sure as always our path will be the search for peace," the president said.
Military officials yesterday trucked extra paratroopers from Maracay to an army base on the outskirts of the capital.