Rivals rally over Chavez reforms

Pro-Chavez supporters like his plans to reform the constitution

Tens of thousands of Venezuelan students have taken part in rival rallies in the capital, Caracas.

The demonstrations were part of intensifying campaigns for and against proposals to change the constitution, which go to a referendum on 2 December.

President Hugo Chavez addressed supporters of his plan to expand the president's powers and end term limits.

Across town, anti-Chavez students said the plans would give the president too much power and lead to a dictatorship.

A large crowd of Chavez supporters gathered outside the presidential palace, beating drums, wearing red shirts and waving red banners.

"Here is the demonstration that the students are with the revolution!" Mr Chavez told the crowd.

'Bold moves'

The amendments up for approval also include giving the president control over the central bank, and the creation of new provinces governed by centrally appointed officials.

Mr Chavez is also proposing to bypass legal controls on the executive during a state of emergency, bring in a maximum six-hour working day, and cut the voting age from 18 to 16.

Anti-Chavez students say the reforms would restrict freedoms

The planned reforms are widely regarded as the boldest and most controversial moves yet by Mr Chavez, says the BBC's James Ingham in Caracas.

Mr Chavez has built up a solid base of support by using Venezuela's oil revenues to fund thousands of "communal councils" that are meant to expand citizens' control over decisions in their neighbourhoods.

"This reform guarantees that our quality of life will improve," said one Chavez supporter.

"It guarantees power for the people through the community councils. Young people are participating in this revolution."

But anti-Chavez student protesters said if the reforms were passed basic freedoms would be taken away.

"This reform is not more power to the people, it's more power to the government," one protester said.

"It's more power to one person and it's a reform that doesn't resolve, that doesn't solve the problems of Venezuela, doesn't solve the problems of society."

Unlike some previous demonstrations, these ones passed off peacefully.

On 7 November, unknown assailants fired shots on students returning from another demonstration.

A week earlier, troops used tear gas and water cannon to disperse thousands of students protesting in Caracas against the proposed amendments.