May 11 (Bloomberg) -- Venezuela has evidence of a plot to assassinate leaders from both the government and opposition groups, Defense Minister Jorge Garcia said.

``Be alert,'' Garcia said on the state television station. ``There are serious documents that implicate many people in assassination plots not only against people in the government, but people in the opposition are on that list too.''

Garcia didn't say what person or group the government believes is planning the assassinations or what actions the government may take against them.

Venezuela's military and police raided several homes following the arrest Sunday of 88 Colombians the government says were paramilitary members plotting to spark a coup, the head of the intelligence police said, according to the state news agency Venpres.

The military and police raided several homes today and yesterday, including the home of the former wife and daughter of former president Carlos Andres Perez, intelligence police chief Miguel Rodriguez said, Venpres reported.

The government says opposition groups brought the Colombians, now being held on a military base, to the South American country's capital to help overthrow the government of President Hugo Chavez. The Democratic Coordinator, which organizes several opposition groups in Venezuelan, isn't involved in any plot to use Colombian paramilitary members to lead a coup, opposition leader Felipe Mujica said on Globovision television.

``Everything indicates that there is a well-organized and financed counter-revolutionary plan to cause a rebellion whose fundamental objection is to eliminate the president,'' Rodriguez said, according to Venpres.

To contact the reporter on this story: Alex Kennedy in Caracas Akennedy1@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: May 11, 2004 18:02 EDT