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VEN05 - 20020208 - CARACAS, VENEZUELA : Supporters of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez demonstrate in front of the presidential palace in Caracas, Friday 08 February 2002. Scores of supporters of President Chavez massed outside his residence amid rising tensions with a rebel air force colonel who led angry protests a day earlier demanding Chavez step down. Tensions have risen markedly in Venezuela -- the United States' number-four oil supplier -- since Air Force Colonel Pedro Soto led a protest calling for the resignation of Chavez, saying he was power-hungry and no friend of democracy. EPA PHOTO AFPI/JUAN BARRETO/jb/pp/rlb/sr