Tens of thousands of Chavez opponents marched through Caracas to demand the release of National Guard General Carlos Alfonzo Martinez. The opposition planned to mass hundreds of thousands of protesters in front of the Fuerte Tiuna army base where the dissident general is being held.
Two people died in hospital from gunshot wounds after fighting between pro-government and anti-government protesters, AFP said, citing Pedro Aristimuno, Caracas head of health services. A total of six people were injured by bullets during the fighting, AFP said. Police said seven officers had been injured.
Venezuela's output is now 172,000 barrels a day, Horacio Medina, president of the union of management workers, Unapetrol, said. Chavez has said the output by state oil company Petroleos de Venezuela SA was 800,000 barrels.
PetroLogistics Ltd, an industry consultant, said output in Venezuela fell to an average of 1 million barrels a day in December, down from 2.85 million barrels a day in November. The strike began Dec. 1.
Venezuela was the fourth-biggest oil supplier to the US in October, according to the Energy Department. Saudi Arabia, Canada and Mexico were the three leading sources of US imports during the month. The four countries are usually the top suppliers to the US, their position switching monthly.
Oil prices have been bolstered by tensions between the US and Iraq.
OPEC ministers have said theey may raise output later this month to counter rising prices. OPEC has an informal mechanism to boost output by 500,000 barrels a day after the price for its oil holds above US$28 a barrel for 20 trading days.
The OPEC benchmark was at US$30.05 on Thursday, its 12th day above the target.
Venezuela was OPEC's third-biggest producer before the strike.
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