The leftist leader is already facing a tough start to 2010 with growing complaints over shortages of electricity and water and a sharp currency devaluation that could harm the chances of his supporters in congressional elections in September.
In a sign he may be preparing for a combative year, Chavez has responded to these challenges by designating a vice president known for radical views and pushing the opposition station RCTV off subscription TV networks.
The move against RCTV has sparked opposition protests this week during which two students have been killed.
“If you’re going to head down the path of destabilization, I’m warning you it will yield the opposite result of what you’re seeking — that we may decide to speed up the changes,” Chavez, who recently declared himself a Marxist, said in televised comments.
Chavez has nationalized large swathes of the economy in recent years, including the telecommunications and the electricity sector — which now faces deepening problems.
This month he took over a hyper-market chain run by a French retailer after accusing the company of price gouging.
Opposition and pro-Chavez students held rival but small rallies on Wednesday, gathering on campus and in public squares, and prepared a wave of marches in the coming days.
Local media reported minor disturbances between security forces and protesters in the cities of Maracaibo and Puerto la Cruz.
Chavez late on Tuesday tapped Agriculture Minister Elias Jaua to be vice president following this week’s resignation of Ramon Carrizalez, a long-time Chavez confidant who also served as defense minister.
Jaua, who will maintain his post as agriculture minister, is a former university student activist with a calm demeanor but a reputation for being among Chavez’s more radical proteges.
