CARACAS, Venezuela — An explosion killed one person and injured 15 Thursday near a huge government rally in Caracas, where President Hugo Chavez promised to defeat a 7-week-old opposition strike.
Cheered by hundreds of thousands of supporters, the leftist leader threatened to close private television stations hostile to him and to take over banks joining the strike, which has slashed oil output by one of the United States' largest suppliers.
"Let's go on the attack on all fronts," Chavez bellowed, his face flushed.
The populist president, who is resisting opposition calls to resign and hold early elections, went ahead with the rally despite the explosion, which occurred several blocks away before he began speaking.
Fire Chief Rodolfo Briceno said a 45-year-old man was killed. Most of the injured were hit by shrapnel.
No one claimed responsibility, and police were investigating.
The blast marred what had been a peaceful demonstration called to show support for Chavez and oppose the strike.
Chavez said he had sacked more than 3,000 employees of the state oil company, who were the backbone of the strike.
