Dear Family and Friends,

As you may have heard by now, at 3:25 a.m. it was officially announced that Hugo Chavez, the President of Venezuela, had resigned after much blood was shed during what began as a peaceful demonstration against the government by an estimated 350,000 people yesterday in Caracas. To date officially 12 people are dead and over 100 people have been injured. However, bodies are still being discovered. The peaceful and unarmed marchers were fired on indiscriminately by armed members of the Bolivarian Circles, base communities created and funded by Chavez' government.

Chavez has been arrested and is being held at the principal army base in Caracas. Appearances might lead one to think that this was a military takeover, but it was not until the violent and repressive response by Chavez' party to yesterday's massive civil anti-government protests occurred that the military finally decided to support the civilian movement demanding Chavez' resignation. Though these forces were prepared to take over by force, by God's grace, this was not necessary since Chavez resigned peacefully. During the night and this morning a military board has been basically running the country and just minutes ago Pedro Carmona (the president of the National Chamber of Commerce) has been installed as provisional president until elections can be held. However, questions have arisen about the constitutionality of this process. According to the constitution, if the vice-president or the parliamentary leader cannot assume the office, then the National Assembly appoints an interim president.

Overall, everything is now calm, and many have resumed their normal activities. There have been protests in some states and cities where the governors and mayors are from Chavez' party. The police have begun to arrest the gunmen identified in television videos of yesterday's massacre. They also are in the process of confiscating arms and shutting down subversive operations run by Chavez' party. PDV, the national petroleum company, should now resume normal operations within 5 to 10 days.

Thank you for your many prayers. At no time have we personally been in any danger or feared for our safety during this crisis.

Please pray for the families of those who tragically lost their lives in Caracas yesterday. Continue to pray for peaceful solutions and God's leading in Venezuela.

Deborah and Carlos

The 2002 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 264