Venezuela's government is in a state of flux after a coup and its sudden reversal. President Hugo Chavez was returned to power two days after he was arrested and imprisoned by his own military high command. The troubles began on Thursday, April 11, when gunmen opened fire on opposition protestors, killing at least 16 people. The military blamed Chavez and arrested him early on Friday, April 12, claiming that he had resigned. Interim President Pedro Carmona was swiftly sworn in and began to take drastic and unpopular steps such as dissolving the National Assembly. But thousands of people flooded the streets to demonstrate against the illegal coup and took over state television to demand Chavez' reinstatement.

After dissent from military officers and violent street protests in which a further 25 people were killed, Carmona resigned. By Sunday, April 14, Chavez had flown back to the Miraflores presidential palace in the capital, Caracas, from his last place of captivity on the Caribbean island of Orchila. 'I'm still stupefied,' he said in a live televised address to the nation, before appealing for calm as Venezuelans sang in celebration of his return to power. Chavez then announced that the board of directors at the state-run oil company had resigned - it was their appointment that sparked the national strike and protests to begin with. Venezuela is the world's fourth-largest oil exporter, and income from oil constitutes 80% of the country's export revenue.

Chavez stressed reconciliation and promised not to retaliate against the forces that overthrew him. He says he intends to 'rectify wherever I have to rectify,' and hopes to bridge the deep divides in his country. The opposition to Chavez' rule came mostly from the business community and upper classes in this oil-rich nation. Chavez retained his popularity with the poor of Venezuela, who considered him their champion despite his increasingly authoritarian rule.

The situation is far from stable, and there is still the potential for unrest and violence. For that reason, the Australian and US governments have advised their nationals to postpone any travel to Venezuela until the situation calms down. The UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office advises travelers to exercise caution and avoid demonstrations.

There are also ongoing problems with guerrilla-instigated violence in remote areas along the Colombian border in Zulia, Tachira, Apure and Amazonas states. If venturing into these regions, contact your embassy to assess the security risk.