Resignation Sends Shock Waves Through Oil & Debt Markets; (Read photo caption within) *Chavez in Military Custody; __

CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) - Venezuelan military officers, forced President Hugo Chavez to resign on Friday and ushered in a transition government led by a civilian business chief. The military blame Chavez for the deaths of at least 10 people in an anti-Chavez protest broken up by violence.

The dramatic events in the world's fourth biggest oil exporter sent shock waves through oil and debt markets and ended the turbulent three-year rule of one of the most colorful and controversial leaders on the international scene.
In the first world reaction to Chavez's ouster, the United States and European Union president Spain called for democracy to be maintained in Latin America's fourth biggest economy.

CHAVEZ IN CUSTODY

Chavez was placed in military custody to await possible trial and senior officers from all branches of the military -- Army, Navy, Air Force and National Guard -- announced the formation of a transition government led by Carmona.
Gen. Luis Camacho Kairuz who had served as Vice-Minister for Security under Chavez, and Carmona pledged that those responsible for what they called Thursday's "terrible crimes", in which more than 100 people were injured, would be brought to justice.

Chavez came to fame as a young army officer by leading an abortive coup in 1992 and won a landslide presidential election victory in 1998, with overwhelming popular support. After easily winning a referendum for a new constitution, he was re-elected in a 2000 election he called to revalidate his self-proclaimed "Bolivarian Revolution," named after Venezuela's 19th century independence hero and designed to help the country's poor majority.

His term had been due to expire in 2006.

HOTO CAPTION:

Pedro Carmona takes the oath as he is sworn in as Venezuela's interim president at the presidential palace in Caracas April 12, 2002. Carmona's government announced it was dissolving Congress, firing all members of the Supreme Court and would hold presidential elections within 365 days. Carmona, who was named transitional president with military backing after the armed forces toppled elected President Hugo Chavez, will not be allowed to stand in the election. (Kimberly White/Reuters)