Venezuelan police fired tear gas and plastic bullets into a crowd of thousands protesting at a decision by President Hugo Chavez that forced a television station critical of his left-wing government off the air.

PRESIDENT Hugo Chavez’s governing party won full control of the 167-National Assembly, claiming a sweeping victory in congressional elections boycotted by major opposition parties.

Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez’s governing party predicted it had won a sweeping victory in congressional elections, citing internal party counts suggesting its candidates had won more than two-thirds of seats.