Venezuelan drive to oust Chavez shifts strategy

CARACAS, Venezuela -- With many opponents of President Hugo Chavez preparing to return to work, Venezuelans leading a 60-day-old strike shifted tactics Thursday, diving headlong into an initiative to shorten his six-year term with international help.

After two grueling months, strike organizers have agreed to let shopping malls, banks, franchises and schools reopen next week.

Meanwhile, production continues to creep upwards in the vital oil industry, where the walkout has been strongest.

As diplomats from six nations headed to Caracas on Thursday to push for early elections, opposition leaders were planning a petition drive to support several measures.