BY PHIL GUNSON
  Special to The Herald

  CARACAS - President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela may face a referendum on his rule as early as December, opposition leaders said Monday, as the third
  nationwide strike against the president in a year brought much of the economy to a halt.

  ''Mr. Chávez, we no longer expect anything of you,'' said Carlos Ortega, president of the Confederation of Venezuelan Workers, after the 12-hour strike
  had ended. ``The people now take on the task of promoting the referendum.''

  The stoppage, called by business groups, labor unions and opposition parties, appeared to pass peacefully despite fears of looting and violence.

  Schools, shops and offices across much of the country were closed and many streets almost deserted. The opposition has called for the president to
  resign or bring forward the presidential election due in 2006, something he has repeatedly declined to do.

  DIVERSE RESPONSES

  Assessments of the strike's success varied widely. In Caracas, the response was patchy, with deserted streets and shuttered businesses in some
  districts, while others -- particularly in poorer areas -- appeared close to normal.

  ''Yes, I'm working. I work for myself and if I don't, I don't earn anything,'' said Sergio Ortuno, a 35-year-old carpenter, as he walked to a job with wood
  slab on his shoulder.

  Carlos Fernández, president of the main business organization, Fedecámaras, claimed ''80 percent of Venezuelans'' supported the stoppage.

  Vice President José Vicente Rangel said less than 10 percent of the country did not show up for work.

  ''The opposition should stop jumping into a swimming pool with no water,'' Rangel said.

  CRISIS UNSOLVED

  Three such strikes, and four massive marches since December, have so far failed to solve the country's political crisis, although Chávez was briefly
  removed from office in April by the armed forces, only to be restored two days later. Recent polls suggest the president retains the support of up to a
  third of the electorate.

  In contrast to April's events, the state-owned oil company PDVSA -- which generally accounts for about half of government revenue -- was not paralyzed.

  In Caracas, however, large numbers of oil company employees at all levels stayed away. Alí Rodríguez, the company chairman, admitted only 20 percent
  were at their desks.

  Public transport operated almost normally, although with few passengers. About two-thirds of domestic flights were canceled for lack of demand.

  The president claims opposition leaders want to oust him by force, or even to assassinate him. On Sunday he announced that a plot to shoot down the
  presidential jet with a bazooka had been foiled, although the evidence presented was scant. On Monday the government said it would investigate his
  accusation.

  As opposition leaders declared an end to the strike Monday night, they promised to deliver by next month the two million signatures necessary to force a
  referendum on the president's rule.

  SIGNATURES

  Leopoldo Puchi, secretary general of the opposition Movement to Socialism, said the government is ''obliged to hold elections within 30 days of the
  signatures being deposited.'' He said the signatures would be delivered Nov. 4.

  Chávez has said he would abide by the results of the referendum if opponents collect enough signatures to put it on the ballot. In order to revoke the
  president's rule, more votes must be cast against him than he obtained in the 2000 election.

  Herald wire services supplemented this report.