Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has said he will not renew the licence for the country’s second largest TV channel when it expires in March 2007.

In an address to troops, Mr Chavez said he would not tolerate media outlets working toward a coup against him.

Radio Caracas Television, which is aligned with the opposition, supported a strike against Mr Chavez in 2003.

Correspondents say this is Mr Chavez’ first significant political move since his re-election earlier this month.

“There will be no new operating licence for this coupist TV channel - the measure has been drafted so go turn off the equipment”.

Mr Chavez, who was returned to power by a wide margin on 3 December, said the head of the television channel, Marcel Granier,
was mistaken in believing “that concession is eternal”. “It runs out in March. So it’s better that you go and prepare your suitcase and look around for what you’re going to do in March.

“There will be no new operating licence for this coupist TV channel called RCTV. The operating licence is over… So go and turn
off the equipment,” Mr Chavez said

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