Hugo Chávez, the Venezuelan President, has tightened the noose on Globovisión, the last opposition news channel broadcasting freely in the country, amid threats to take it off the public airwaves.

The channel, which is vehemently opposed to Mr Chávez’s socialist project, has been in the President’s sights for weeks. He says that the private media are “fascist bourgeoisie” that are “inciting hate — even war” and has ordered Globovisión to be investigated under legislation that allows the Government to shut broadcasters down.

The moves are the latest in a series of strikes against opponents as Mr Chávez seeks to deepen socialism in Venezuela. Since a February referendum victory allowing his indefinite re-election, he has sharpened his assaults on the private sector, curbed the powers of opponents in public positions and ordered corruption inquiries against critics.

The showdown with Globovisión took an aggressive turn last week when a property belonging to Guillermo Zuloaga, the president of the company, was raided. On Thursday morning government helicopters circled overhead, a team of agents and military entered the building, alleging criminal activity relating to Mr Zuloaga’s car business.

The agents demanded the keys to more than 20 vehicles before bringing in 11 cranes and three police units to seize them.

During the operation, filmed by Globovisión and state media, shoving broke out between agents and Mr Zuloaga’s lawyer. Mr Zuloaga said that the raid was designed to intimidate. “They are looking for a way to find something to shut me up,” he said.

Mr Chávez rejected such claims, insisting that the “filthy rich” such as Mr Zuloaga were not immune from the law. It was the latest broadside against a channel already under investigation for its coverage of a small earthquake this month in Caracas, after Mr Chávez complained that Globovisión stirred up panic. It is also being investigated over comments that Mr Chávez could end up being executed by his opponents, like the Italian dictator Benito Mussolini.

With one opposition station closed and others adopting a neutral stance to avoid the same fate, Globovisión is the only news channel left on terrestrial frequencies.

Times Recommends

• Would you live on the wrong side of the Berlin Wall?
• Wish you were here, says Iraq tourist board
• Russian policeman’s corruption plea to Putin