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VEN02 - 20020208 - CARACAS, VENEZUELA : An elderly woman passes a graffiti reading "Chavez Was" in Caracas 08 February, 2002. A large crowd of Chavez opponents, lead by a rebel air force colonel, Pedro Soto, called for Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to step down late 07 February during a protest march toward the presidential residence. Tensions have risen markedly in Venezuela -- the United States' number-four oil supplier -- since 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/eh