Venezuelans cram streets to protest against referendum

More than 100,000 people flooded the streets of Caracas yesterday to oppose a referendum that would eliminate term limits for President Hugo Chavez and help him establish a socialist state in Venezuela.

Blowing whistles, waving placards and shouting “Not like this!” the marchers carried Venezuelan flags and dressed in blue – the chosen colour of the opposition – as they streamed along Bolivar Avenue in the nation’s capital city.