CARACAS, (Reuters) – Venezuelan police used tear gas to disperse students protesting chronic electricity shortages as leftist President Hugo Chavez faced growing complaints over deteriorating public services.
A group of several thousand opposition student demonstrators were marching toward the headquarters of the state electricity agency when police dispersed them. Local media reported two students and one police officer were injured.
Authorities are preparing to renew a power-rationing plan for the capital, Caracas, after Chavez scrapped an earlier effort that left the city in chaos and angered his supporters who were already struggling with restricted water supplies.
The students want university experts to help develop the rationing plans and the government, which controls the electricity, to increase investments in the sector.