Pro- and anti-government forces in Venezuela are planning rival marches in Caracas Wednesday to mark the 13th anniversary of deadly food riots that rocked the country.

The so-called "Caracazo" riots began in late February 1989, after the government of then-President Carlos Andres Perez decided to raise fuel and transportation prices.

The disturbances plagued the capital, Caracas, and other major cities for several days, leaving hundreds of people dead and millions of dollars in property damage.

Today's planned demonstration comes amid growing domestic opposition to the policies of President Hugo Chavez. He was elected in 1998 on an anti-poverty, anti-corruption platform but his approval rating has plunged in recent months.

On Tuesday, several newspapers ran an advertisement critical of President Chavez's decision to fire the president of the state-owned oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela, and most of its board of directors.

More than 3,000 company employees took out the advertisement to protest what they see as a bid by Mr. Chavez to exert more control over the company.

In a related development, four military officers in the span of one month have called for President Chavez to step down. The officers have expressed concern over what they say is the manipulation of the armed forces by the president.

Mr. Chavez insists there is no risk of a military coup. Three of the dissenting officers have faced internal disciplinary hearings.

Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.

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