Chavez Faces Unusual Opposition In Elections

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Chavez Faces Unusual Opposition In Elections
by Juan Forero

Venezuela, Socialist President Hugo Chavez and his allies are facing a tough challenge from opposition candidates in Sunday's elections for governors and mayors. It's the first time in years that the populist leader's ironclad hold on power has been challenged. One reason is that people are fed up with crime.

Venezuela's homicide rate is among the world's highest — and critics say the government's response has been hapless.
Source....
(http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97365651&ft=1&f=1004)

[Mu-Meson]

Pure awesome. At the top of the page there is a PBS advert for "The Hugo Chavez Show".

[LEB101]

which chavez the on in south america or the one thats going to be the next president of america

[gaijinsamurai]

I just watched the PBS show on Chavez (on the excellent series, "Frontline"). It was quite good, and showed Chavez's true colors as a dictatorial thug who continuously tries to work around Venezuela's democratic institutions to further his own power.

[ChrisBV]

(...) and showed Chavez's true colors as a dictatorial thug who continuously tries to work around Venezuela's democratic institutions to further his own power.

It was about time somebody said it loud and clear :)

[BloodyTalon]

Meh, unless we get clear numbers about how the opposition is doing in Venezuela, we shouldn't count Chavez out.

Don't get me wrong, the paranoid dictator-wannabe has screwed up enough that you'd expect that enough people have gotten pissed off to the point that they want to kick him off; his nationalization programs have been a mess, crime is up, the country is suffering from food shortages, and his foreign policy when dealing with "enemies" like the US and Columbia is full of more hot air than the Hindenburg. Also, the failure of the 07 decree could be evidence that Chavez's days are numbered.

But again, we shouldn't throw a party yet; he could always manipulate his old base to get himself reelected, or even try the rig the election or abuse his power to keep himself in office.

Am I also the only one who thinks "Alo Presidente" is strangely similar to DR. Breen's propaganda in HL2? I've been watching the PBS special and I half expect Chavez to begin warning Venezuelan's about "the one Free Man"

[gaijinsamurai]

I think that unfortunately, the Venezuelan people will be stuck with Senor Chavez for quite some time.
I've got no problem with Latin American leftists or those who want to minimalize US influence in their region, as we have been a bully there. But to unnecessarily pick fights at every opportunity, just with the purpose of winning points with the uneducated masses of have-nots (his power base), smacks of political opportunism.
President Lula of Brazil is a better example of a Latin American leader who can show independence and a strong nationalist streak, without kissing ass to countries like Iran, provoking neighbors, and making a fool of himself.