The silence and the scorpion : the coup against Chávez and the making of modern Venezuela

On April 11, 2002, nearly a million Venezuelans marched on the presidential palace to demand the resignation of President Hugo Chavez. Led by Pedro Carmona and Carlos Ortega, the opposition represented a cross-section of society furious with Chavez's economic policies, specifically his mishandling of the Venezuelan oil industry. But as the day progressed the march turned violent, sparking a military revolt that led to the temporary ousting of Chavez. Over the ensuing, turbulent seventy-two hours, Venezuelans would confront the deep divisions within their society and ultimately decide the best course for their country -- and its oil -- in the new century. An exemplary piece of narrative journalism, The Silence and the Scorpion provides rich insight into the complexities of modern Venezuela. CONTENTS......Page 8 Photo Section......Page 198 A Note to Readers......Page 10 Map of South America......Page 12 Map of Venezuela......Page 13 Principal Characters......Page 14 Introduction......Page 18 PART I: THE MARCH......Page 26 PART II: COLLAPSE......Page 136 PART III: THE REGIME OF PEDRO CARMONA......Page 208 PART IV: CHÁVEZ RETURNS......Page 234 PART V: AFTERMATH......Page 280 Epilogue......Page 314 Appendix: The Sniper Riddle......Page 318 Acknowledgments......Page 322 C......Page 326 F......Page 327 P......Page 328 V......Page 329 Notes......Page 330 B......Page 370 C......Page 371 E......Page 373 G......Page 374 L......Page 375 M......Page 376 O......Page 377 P......Page 378 R......Page 379 S......Page 380 U......Page 381 Z......Page 382 "On April 11, 2002, nearly a million Venezuelans marched on the presidential palace to demand the resignation of President Hugo Chávez. Led by Pedro Carmona and Carlos Ortega, the opposition represented a cross-section of society furious with Chávez's economic policies, specifically his mishandling of the Venezuelan oil industry. But as the day progressed, the march turned violent, sparking a military revolt that led to the temporary ousting of Chávez. Over the ensuing, turbulent 72 hours, Venezuelans would confront the deep divisions within their society and ultimately decide the best course for their country--and its oil--in the new century".--From publisher description Introduction The marsh Collapse The regime of Pedro Carmona Chávez returns Aftermath.