GUSTAVO MÉNDEZ
EL UNIVERSAL

University students Tuesday ratified their petition to postpone a referendum on the changes to the Constitution, scheduled for next December 2, until next February 3.

In a news conference in the afternoon, the students disclosed the results of the march they staged at noon. Student leader at the Central University of Venezuela (UCV) Stalin González said the only way to ensure dissemination of the contents of the intended reform among all Venezuelans is by deferring the vote.

This 90-day term, González argued, would allow people to get more information about the changes advanced by both President Hugo Chávez and the National Assembly.

"The constitutional reform is a subject matter that needs to be discussed by every Venezuelan, rather than a group of parliamentarians or people in red (color or pro-Chávez party) only," he underscored.

Further, the student leader said university students next November 2 are marching to the headquarters of the National Electoral Council (CNE), downtown Caracas, to urge the top electoral body to suspend the referendum. "The rights are not subject to reform. Every one of us should be familiar with these changes, and therefore the deadline needs to be extended."

As to the results of their demonstration earlier on Tuesday, González asserted that despite obstacle they accomplished their goal to get to the National Assembly and deliver a paper.

He clarified that the only party that is out of  law is the government, as it allowed pro-Chávez groups to prevent university students from staging their demonstration, even though they were granted the relevant permit.

Meanwhile, Yon Goicoechea, a student leader at Andrés Bello Catholic University (UCAB), acknowledged the support of the Metropolitan Police officers, as they protected demonstrators during the march. Goicoechea, however, lashed out at the National Guard troops, who attacked university students and protected pro-government groups.

Earlier, González said five university students were injured as pro-Chávez groups threw stones and other objects at them. Minister of the Interior and Justice Pedro Carreño said four police officers and one National Guard officer were injured.
gmendez@eluniversal.com

Translated by Maryflor Suárez R.
msuarez@eluniversal.com