Venezuela (Country threat level - 4):

September 4, 2009 by Tim McDowell.

At 1200 local time on 4 September 2009 three separate demonstrations will be held in Caracas to protest President Hugo Chavez’s pursuit of a socialist revolution in Latin America as well as his contentious relationships with Colombia and the United States, which have increased tensions in the region. One group will meet at Parque Cristal, another at Plaza Brion in the Chacaito district, and another at Plaza Venezuela. All three groups will converge at Plaza Altamira in central Caracas. On 28 August Venezuela’s attorney general threatened to arrest any individual taking part in protests against the Chavez administration, claiming that such actions qualify as a form of civil rebellion. As a result, police officers — who often use force to dispel demonstrators — are likely to be present at the protest sites. Travelers should avoid any area where demonstrations are taking place as a precaution.

Simultaneous worldwide protests have been organized on 4 September through global social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Groups from Spain, England, France, Israel, Canada, the United States, Peru, Honduras, Colombia, Brazil, Germany, Ecuador and other nations have asked to participate in the action. Approximately 32,000 individuals have expressed interest in participating via the Facebook Web site.

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