Governor Briceño: I have been the victim of a coup in Monagas

"I have been the victim of a coup in (the state of) Monagas," said José Gregorio Briceño, the governor of the northeastern Venezuelan state. He said that he has no longer control over the regional police corps.

The state governor, a member of the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), said that he will not go to PSUV Disciplinary Tribunal. He vowed to continue fighting for the people of Monagas.

Briceño added that he would announce next Wednesday at a sports venue in Maturín (the capital of the state of Monagas) whether he will run for reelection.

He called upon President Hugo Chávez and criticized him because the people of the city of Maturín have not received his solidarity during the water supply crisis that has extended for 42 days.

Briceño said that in the next few hours "water supply will resume in some areas of Maturín." He also stated that he has acted responsibly to ensure the health of the people of Monagas.

"I expected that the president said, at least, 'We will find those people in the oil industry who were responsible (of the crisis).' At the time of the oil spill, some oil managers did not pay attention to the orders to stop oil production. But since they were friends of government officials, this information would not come to light," he concluded.