Two dissident army officers have sought asylum at the Dominican Embassy in Caracas, after being labelled ‘rebels’ by the Chavez government. Retired Captains Alfredo and Ricardo Salazar Boh?rquez, who are brothers, apparently chose the Dominican Republic because of “the state of friendship that exists between the two nations”. This is despite the apparent close relationship between the Chavez and Mej?a administrations. The brothers Salazar Boh?rquez are accused of involvement in the failed coup against President Hugo Chavez in April 2002 and were retired by Chavez shortly after the uprising.