Venezuela's opposition will have a tough time recovering after failing to oust President Hugo Chavez in a recall vote, a setback that quickly spurred infighting among the president's foes.
For opposition leaders, the defeat was an agonizing remainder of their past failures to oust Chavez.
Venezuelans are torn between those who accuse Chavez of trying to impose a Cuban-style communist regime and those who say he has given the poor majority a voice in politics and greater access to health and education.
The opposition disagreed Monday on how to react following the devastating defeat, but they all flatly refused to acknowledge the president's triumph at the polls.
Chavez foes alleged widespread fraud in Sunday's referendum even though former US President Jimmy Carter and the Organization of American States endorsed the results.
Chavez won with 58 percent of the vote.
"The political leadership has not been in line with the people," said Antonio Ledezma, who urged opposition sympathizers to stage street protests.
Despite an economic recession, rising crime rates and 15 percent unemployment, Chavez won widespread support among Venezuela's poor majority by spending millions of dollars to teach adults to read, sending Cuban doctors to slums and offering loans to farmers and small businesses.
Critics say the programs, many inspired by Cuban models, are a way of spreading communist propaganda to the poor.
The opposition -- splintered into small parties with contrasting ideologies -- never came up with a clear plan for running Venezuela or even a candidate to succeed Chavez.
Chavez, whose six-year term ends in January 2007, has now gained momentum ahead of September regional elections and 2005 congressional elections. His allies already control the National Assembly and most state governments.
Seven people were wounded Monday after a group of apparently pro-Chavez motorcyclists fired into a small opposition protest in a Caracas plaza, said Caracas Fire Chief Rodolfo Briceno. Opposition lawmaker Ernesto Alvarenga was among those hurt, Briceno said.
Aura Ron denied firefighters' initial reports that her sister, Maritza, had died. Ron said her 62-year-old sister was in intensive care after being shot in the upper body.
Chavez condemned the violence, but said he wouldn't be surprised if the shooters, who waved pro-Chavez posters, were sent by opposition leaders to provoke chaos. About 200 people kept protesting after the shooting, hurling stones at passing vehicles displaying "no" signs in favor of ousting Chavez.
Other leaders of Venezuela's splintered opposition urged calm and announced plans to appeal to international organizations as a means of exposing alleged fraud.
"We must know we had the majority ... we must prove it," said Julio Borges, a staunch opponent of Chavez.
Chavez, who extended an olive branch to his adversaries, was joined by former US President Jimmy Carter and officials in Washington, in appealing for reconciliation.
"I repeat the call for union, understanding and tolerance among all," Chavez said at a press conference.
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