The fiery former coup leader also suggested a civil war or a military
                  dictatorship could ensue if the proposed constitution, the centerpiece of his
                  radical reform program, is rejected in a national referendum in two weeks.

                  "Let the naysayers know we are just beginning our counteroffensive. We are
                  going to unleash our forces at all flanks ... The order is for persecution and
                  relentless attack," he said at a rally to promote a "yes" vote in the Dec. 15
                  referendum.

                  Referring to deadly 1989 mass riots and two failed military coups in 1992,
                  Chavez said that "until we deeply transform the economic and political
                  situation ... the causes are there, like volcanoes, and can explode at any
                  moment."

                  "What would happen in Venezuela if a civil war broke out?" he said, singling
                  out unions, owners of the main newspaper chains and businessmen as
                  obstacles to change.

                  Chavez's high-voltage speeches in recent days in favor of the proposed
                  constitution, which was drawn up by his backers, have been aimed at
                  solidifying support among millions of poor people, many of whom see him as
                  a savior.

                  But his harsh attacks on opponents have provoked fear among many in the
                  middle and upper classes who say the former paratrooper is taking
                  Venezuela toward authoritarian rule.

                  They say the proposed constitution would concentrate power in his hands,
                  curb civilian control of the military, squelch free speech and lead to heavy
                  state intervention in the economy. Some charge that he wants to imitate Fidel
                  Castro's communist revolution in Cuba, which Chavez praised on a visit
                  there this month.

                  Chavez says he was merely talking about Cuba's highly regarded public
                  health and education systems, and that the new constitution will strengthen
                  Venezuela's discredited democracy, reduce poverty, clean up rampant
                  corruption, reform a notorious judicial system, shut down corrupt unions and
                  break up monopolies.

                  While Chavez remains immensely popular a year after his election as
                  president, signs of discontent are growing. During a nationally televised
                  speech by Chavez Monday night, residents of affluent Caracas
                  neighborhoods stood at open apartment windows and banged pots to
                  protest Chavez and the proposed constitution.

                  On Tuesday, the left-leaning Chavez also drew comparisons to the 1973
                  coup led by Gen. Augusto Pinochet against Marxist Chilean President
                  Salvador Allende.

                  "There's a small difference. Allende didn't have the army" on his side, said
                  Chavez, a cashiered lieutenant colonel who has raised the military's profile in
                  his government.