Chávez warns that he will closely watch opposition governors and mayors

The Venezuelan head of State also said that "the plan of the opposition is to remove Chávez from power."

Venezuela's President Hugo Chávez said on Thursday night in state-run channel Venezolana de Televisión (VTV) that the "new metropolitan Mayor, the mayor of Sucre Municipality (east Caracas) and the governor of Miranda state will be closely monitored."

He added "the dumb Chávez of 2001 and 2002 was left behind; the 'gringos' and the fifth column infiltrated in Caracas slums must know that. I am not going to let violence to erupt again. I am here to remind you that."

The Venezuelan Head of State also said that "the plan of the opposition is to remove Chávez from power. All of them, the most renowned opposition leaders, that in a few days are going to take office, they were involved in the plot for the coup d'état (the movement to overthrow Chávez in April 2002). All of them caused moments of terror."

Chávez said that there is a plan devised by the Pentagon that has been activated. He insisted: "the revolution is armed and prepared to counter those who may attack the people."

Recalling his own coup attempt against President Carlos Andrés Pérez on November 27, 1992, Chávez said: "Here with my papers and in my office, I want to pay tribute to those who fell in combat. It was the military youth who rose against the Pact of Punto Fijo (an agreement for bipartisanship achieved between the establishment parties in Venezuela) and against the bourgeois looting."