Venezuela ? A move to arrest a prominent opposition leader sent thousands of anti-government protesters into the streets of the country’s second-largest city Friday, accusing President Hugo Chavez of launching a new attack against his critics.

The protest came after a prosecutor called for the arrest of Mayor Manuel Rosales, a prominent Chavez opponent who has been accused of corruption.

“There is no justice in Venezuela,” Rosales told the crowd. “But we will continue fighting.”

Critics say Chavez and his allies are leading a two-pronged offensive by persecuting opponents and increasing presidential power by putting all airports, highways and seaports under federal control. Several key ports were previously administered by Chavez opponents.

Chavez won a key vote last month that eliminated term limits.