More than 100,000 people flooded the streets of Caracas yesterday to oppose a referendum that would eliminate term limits for President Hugo Chavez and help him establish a socialist state in Venezuela.
Blowing whistles, waving placards and shouting "Not like this!" the marchers carried Venezuelan flags and dressed in blue - the chosen colour of the opposition.
Opposition politician Leopoldo Lopez said about 160,000 protesters filled Bolivar Avenue in the nation's capital city, and thousands more spilled over onto surrounding roads.
The rally was among the largest by the opposition in recent years and marked the close of the opposition's campaign against the proposed constitutional changes, which will be submitted to a vote on Sunday.
Mr Chavez plans to lead rallies in favour of the reforms today.
Venezuelans will vote on 69 proposed changes to nation's 1999 constitution that would eliminate presidential term limits, create forms of communal property and give greater power to the presidency to redraw the country's political divisions.
Chavez claims the constitutional overhaul is necessary to give more of a voice to the people through community-based councils.
AP