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Opus Del Helped Back Failed Coup In Venezuela

Opus Dei, a secretive and ultra-conservative Roman Catholic group that operates internationally, is reported to have played a role in the failed coup aimed at Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez.

The New Republic reported in May that many of Venezuela's conservative Catholics had expressed support for Pedro Carmona, head of a Venezuelan business federation called Fedecamaras. In fact, during Carmona's one-day term as president after the coup, he appointed several Cabinet members with ties to Opus Dei.

The report also indicated that tensions between right-wing Catholics and Chavez might have helped spur the coup. During his tenure, Chavez has cut government aid to the church's social programs and schools. In addition, in 1998, Venezuelan General Ruben Rojas Perez tried to prevent Chavez from taking power after his initial election victory. Perez has close ties to Opus Dei, and his son is one of the group's main leaders.

Copyright Americans United for Separation of Church and State Jun 2002
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