REBELS SUCCEED IN VENEZUELA

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 250, 22 October 1945, Page 5

REBELS SUCCEED IN VENEZUELA

OPPQSITION_ ■ ENDS Immediate Election Is Proposed N.Z. Press Association—Copyright Rec. 1 p.m. CARACAS, Oct. 21. The revolutionary junta has broadcast a proclamation announcing that the junta controls the country, including the huge oilfields area. President' Medina and the presidential candidate, Lopez, have been both taken into custody. The junta announced that Medina and Lopez would be tried for malfeasance of public funds, and addefl that democratic elections would be held. The Associated Press says the j junta previously announced it would respect all contracts made with foreign oil companies. The junta is headed by Romulo Betancourt, exCommunist, who resigned from the party and renounced the creed. All Venezuela is in the hands of the revolutionaries, states the British Broadcasting Corporation. Opposition has now ceased in three States where supporters of the old regime were resisting. Tanks and armoured cars of the insurgents are patrolling the capital. The programme of the revolutionaries includes an immediate general election, prosecution of members of the previous Government accused of speculation and measures designed to improve the conditions of the middle classes and workers. The revolt began on Thursday when the officers, apparently dissatisfied over the coming presidential election, lured several high officers and members of the Cabinet to Miraflores Palace, holding them as hostages. The revolt reached its climax when General Medina surrendered 24 hours later. Most of the casualties were police and soldiers.