Nov. 13 (Bloomberg) -- Venezuela’s national guard used tear gas to repel a march led by the mayor of a Caracas borough who is battling the government of President Hugo Chavez over a plot of public land.

Emilio Grateron, mayor of the opposition-dominated Chacao borough, and his supporters were repelled by dozens of troops with shields and tear gas to keep them from evicting tenants of an abandoned public market where a new civic center is planned, according to images broadcast on Globovision. The national government recently moved people into the building.

The dispute follows other efforts by Chavez to stymie projects by mayors and governors who oppose him. The central government removed control of highways and airports from opposition governors, shifted most of the powers of the city- wide mayor of Caracas to a presidential appointee, and indicted an opposition governor, driving him to seek asylum in Peru.

To contact the reporter on this story: Steven Bodzin in Caracas at sbodzin@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: November 13, 2009 13:06 EST