Chavez warns against more coup plots

The Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez, has repeated a warning to his critics that any further coup plots will be dealt with severely.

Addressing soldiers at a military parade at an army base in the capital, Caracas, Mr Chavez, said the armed forces were ready to halt any attempt to overthrow his government.

He said the only way forward for Venezuela was through peace and reconciliation.

Correspondents say that despite the appeal for unity, Venezuela remains bitterly divided between the president's supporters and opponents, two months after he was briefly removed from power.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service