In the opposition's biggest show of force since it launched a crippling general strike, more than 1 million Venezuelans poured into the streets of the capital Saturday to demand the resignation of President Hugo Chavez.
Chanting "Let him leave today," protesters filled bridges, overpasses and parks along Caracas' busiest highway, carrying giant Venezuelan flags, blowing whistles and chanting anti-Chavez slogans.
Caracas Fire Chief Rodolfo Briseno said more than 1 million people were demonstrating in what he called "the biggest march we've seen in recent times."
Meanwhile, government officials summoned Chavez supporters to an unannounced "Christmas celebration," where several thousand people danced and clapped their hands to traditional Christmas music.
The pro-Chavez demonstration was on the path the opposition rally would need to take to reach the presidential palace. A march on the palace in April led to violence that killed 19 people and sparked a coup that ousted Chavez for two days.
But opposition leader Carlos Ortega said he wouldn't urge the marchers to move on the palace, saying that "would be irresponsible at this point." He said the march should topple Chavez anyway.
"This response should bring the head of state to make the decision he needs to make about Venezuela's crisis -- and that is none other than to leave, quit, so Venezuela can restore confidence, peace and calm," he said.
Protesters marched with their children, and their dogs. Many followed the march route on bicycles, skateboards and motorcycles.
From a stage under a starry sky, musicians played Venezuelan folk music, dissident military officers fired up the crowd and comedians mocked Chavez's close friendship with Cuban President Fidel Castro.
"Chavez has two jobs: president of the republic and first lady of Cuba," comedian Carlos Donoso said, to roars of laughter from the crowd.
The government, the opposition and international mediators have warned that riots could break out any day as the 13-day-old strike makes food, cash and transportation increasingly scarce -- and makes Venezuelans more polarized.
Dozens of Chavez supporters protested outside a shuttered bank Saturday, demanding it open its doors and cash their checks, as 20 police officers in riot gear blocked them from breaking in.
"My family doesn't have anything to eat and I have no cash," said Matilda Mercado, 39. She had waited outside the bank for six hours trying to cash two checks, but the bank remained closed. "I blame the strike leaders for this," she said.
Efforts sponsored by the Organization of American States to head off violence have produced no results. The opposition says it will continue its protest until Chavez steps down or calls elections; Chavez says he will do neither.
The strike has crippled Venezuela's oil industry -- the world's fifth largest -- rattling international markets and its chief petroleum customer, the US. Crude output has fallen from about 3 million barrels a day to only 550,000.
The opposition supporters packed the streets with a sea of red, yellow and blue signs -- the colors of Venezuela's flag. "2002 without Christmas; 2003 with freedom," read one sign.
"If we're afraid, we'll never get away from this man [Chavez]," said Rita de Velasquez, a 37-year-old saleswoman. "If we don't defend our country like men and women, later we'll be crying like children about our dictatorship."
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