Venezuela: US-Backed Coup Attempt Against Chávez

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez was briefly overthrown on April 11, 2002, following a military coup and business lockout. Pedro Carmona, head of the Venezuelan business federation (FEDECAMARAS), was installed as president. The Bush administration recognized Carmona and praised the 'democratic' change of power. Chávez was restored to power within 47 hours after mass protests. Declassified US documents show the State Department and NED had funded opposition groups.