Thursday, April 11

11:30 A.M. Business and political leaders gather at a private luncheon with the
U.S. ambassador.

About 1 P.M. Hundreds of thousands of people march through Caracas to
protest Chávez’s policies as pressure on the government mounts.

3 - 3:30 P.M. Shots are fired at the anti-Chávez protesters, apparently by
snipers, as the president delivers a televised address urging calm. Government
then cuts the transmission signals of private TV channels.

6 P.M. The police say more than six people were killed in the street protests.
The death toll is later raised to 17.

10:20 P.M. Gen. Alberto Camacho Kairuz of the National Guard says that the
Chávez government has “abandoned its functions” and that the armed forces
are in control. He blames Chávez for the violence earlier in the day.

Friday, April 12

3:25 A.M. The armed forces chief, Gen. Lucas Rincón, says Chávez has
resigned and is in custody. Chávez said later he never resigned.

4:55 A.M. The head of Venezuela’s leading business association, Pedro
Carmona, right ,says he has been named president of a transition
government.

Afternoon Latin American presidents at a Río Group meeting in Costa Rica
condemn Chávez’s overthrow. Wasington blames Chávez for his ouster.

5:45 P.M. Carmona dissolves the National Assembly and fires all members of the
Supreme Court. New presidential elections will be held within a year.

Saturday, April 13

9 A.M. The United States ambassador has breakfast with Carmona and urges him to
revoke the decree suspending the assembly.

1:00-1:30 P.M. Military combat units across the nation, including a key parachute
battalion, declare support for Chávez.

2 P.M. Pro-Chávez crowds are massed at the presidential palace to demand his return
as presidential guards retake control. Dozens of soldiers at a barracks opposite the
palace raise their weapons and berets in support of the march.

5 P.M. Carmona reverses the decision to dissolve the assembly after the new armed
forces chief, Gen. Efraín Vásquez, threatens to withdraw his support.

Early Evening The uprising collapses. The National Assembly meets and swears in
Chávez’s former deputy president, Diosdado Cabello, as president. He says he will
hold the post until Chávez returns from detention.

10 P.M. Carmona resigns as interim president.

Sunday, April 14

 2:45 A.M. Chávez returns in triumph to the presidential palace. He
 takes a conciliatory tone, promising to right the wrongs of his first
 three years in government and calling on the opposition to work with
 him to end the political crisis.

 After Sunrise Thousands of Chávez supporters take to streets to
 celebrate and also loot several hundred stores and businesses.