The leftist leader of Venezuela Hugo Chavez replaced the opposition television station RCTV, the country’s oldest television, after midnight on Sunday with a state station promoting President Hugo Chavez's socialist revolution.
Chavez refused to renew the station’s license, accusing the channel of "subversive" activities.

RCTV (Radio Caracas Television) station was a major opponent to presidents’ reforms that have given him control over the judiciary, the military and the oil sector of this OPEC nation.

In RCTV’s farewell program the station’s staff gathered in a studio and bowed their heads in prayer.
"Do not lose hope. We will see you soon," presenter Nelson Bustamante told viewers.

The new television station TVES began transmitting Sunday amid celebrations in the streets by supporters of President Hugo Chavez.
Its transmission began with the national anthem and the upcoming program that includes,
an educational program for children emphasizing socialist values.

"We've come here to start a new television with the true face of the people, the face that was hidden, the face that they didn't allow us to show," said pro-Chavez filmmaker Roman Chalbaud.

RCTV's legal representative informed the Associated Press that armed military personnel "took control of our station's transmitters" to guarantee that the new television station could broadcast.

This move caused violence between protesters and police. On the other hand, Chaves’ supporters launched fireworks and danced to a classic salsa tune called "Todo tiene su final" (Everything Has Its End).

The European Union’s presidency, currently held by Germany, showed its concern regarding Chaves’ move without allowing open competition and a tender process for a new broadcast license.
"Freedom of speech and freedom of the press are essential elements of democracy," stated the EU presidency.