Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-08-05
Caracas Put
Under Guard
After Rioting

CARACAS, Venezuela, Aug.
S (AP).-Armed troops kept
vigil today over Venezuela's jit-
terry capital, shaken by nine
hours of bloody rioting In which
at least four persons were killed
and more han 100 wounded.
Police had orders TO seize any
one trying to resume the DEM
onstrations that began yester-
day as an unemployment pro-
test and snowballed into the
worst riots since President Ro-
mulo Betancourt took Office six
months ago.
The president banned all dem
onstrations and public meetings
for 80 days. He denied that the
riots had any political over
tones, declaring they had been
touched off by Adventures.
There have been many recent
rumors however. of brewing
plots to overthrow Mr.. Betan-
court, who was elected to sue
coed the military junta that
ousted Dictator Marcos Perez
Jimenez,
The disturbance began with
a rally Of workers protesting
cancellation of an emergency
public works project to provide
jobs for the unemployed. There
were protests. too, against gov
eminent plans to change slum
area into park.
Goaded by agitators, the mob
grew to an estimated 10000 and
began roaming in bands through
sections of the city. attacking
police, shops and government
buildings.
Police moved in but were at
tackled with clubs and stones.
They countered with a tear
gas barrage, then fired over
the heads of the crowd. Eleven
truckloads Of helmeted troops
were rushed in, and armored
cars formed ring around
Mr.. Betancourt's headquarters.
Gradually government forces
got the upper hand and cleared
the streets.
Two Policemen Killed
Unofficial estimates of the
dead ran as high as seven. But
Gov. Francisco Garlic Batalla
of Caracas said only four-two
policemen and two civilians
were killed. Thirty-six police
men and many demonstrators
were wounded.
One of the victims was a
street photographer reported
suffocated by a wave of tear
gas. The other civilian fell
with a bullet in his chest.
One man was arrested for
leading a Molotov cocktail at
tack against the capitol build
ing. Several were taken in for
trying to attack police head
quarters. There were more
arrests as the rioting con-
tinued, but the total number
behind bars could not be
learned Immediately.
Most shops and business
firms closed, but rioters
smashed store fronts and
looted the shops. Others
stoned windows in the parlia-
ment building.
The surging mob brought
traffic to a standstill.
Cabinet Summoned
At the height of the rioting
Mr.. Betancourt called the cabi-
net into emergency session.
Later he suspended the consti-
tutional immunity from arrest
without a warrant.
In recent months leaflets
calling for Mr.. Betancourt's
overthrow have been scattered
at night from speeding cars.
and clandeStine radio stations
have kept up a drumf1re of at
tacks on the President. These
attacks have been attributed to
diehard supporters of Gen.
Perez Jimenez, who now lives
In Miami.
Mr.. Betancourt's emergency
works plan employed some &c.
600 Caracas workers in repair
ing streets, building bridges and
other improvements.
Venezuela has about 100000
joblesS. In ordering the emer-
gency plan abandoned, the
President said many of those
hired showed up only to collect
their pay. The nation could not
afford to keep idlers on the pay
roll, he said, but added that
construction jobs are available
for those who really want work.