As confrontations sharpen in Venezuela between supporters of President Hugo Chávez and pro-imperialist forces seeking a coup, the national government took over the police force in Caracas, the capital, to end a dispute between pro-government officers and those backing Mayor Afredo Peña, an opponent of the government. Troops were deployed at 10 police stations in response to street actions in support of rebellious cops. Opposition forces have threatened another bosses’ "strike" demanding Chávez’s resignation. In April these forces carried out a U.S.-backed coup that ousted Chávez, but two days later the president was returned to power on the crest of massive protests by working people against the coup plotters.  
 
 
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