06 Mar 2004 18:18 UTC
The demonstrators are also denouncing what they say are the government's human rights abuses against protesters in recent days. At least seven people have died in violence, and some protesters say the government has detained more than 370 people in the past eight days.
Meanwhile, Venezuela's Defense Ministry has suspended the right of ordinary citizens to carry firearms until March 14.
Also this week, Venezuela's U.N. ambassador resigned in protest over President Hugo Chavez's policies. Ambassador Milos Alcalay said Thursday that he was stepping down to protest human rights violations and threats to democracy in Venezuela.
Mr. Chavez's opponents accuse him of trying to model the country after communist-run Cuba. The president insists he is working to improve the lives of Venezuela's impoverished majority.
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Tens of thousands opposition activists are marching toward the center of Venezuela's capital to demand a recall referendum against President Hugo Chavez.
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On Tuesday, Venezuelan election officials said the opposition had not yet collected enough valid signatures to force a recall referendum on Mr. Chavez. But his opponents say the election council is discounting valid signatures on technicalities.
