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There is mixed opinion over a Chavez victory
Dear Editor,
With regards to Kaieteur News editorial, “Chavez Tries Again” (February 7), opinion polls predict a close finish giving the edge to the opposition or the “no” vote. If the “yes” vote wins on Sunday, Chavez will not face term limits.
Currently, he cannot seek re-election when his term expires in 2013. The referendum (if he wins) will allow him to seek unlimited terms in office.
Chavez says his continuation as President way beyond that time limit is necessary for him to complete the Socialist Bolivarian revolution that he feels will transform Venezuela and unite all of South America.
According to the NY Times, there is mixed opinion over a Chavez victory with people deeply divided on whether Chavez should remain in office.
But the President has been losing popular support as he stumbles in his governance, including his bungled handling of the independent media, oil revenues and the spending spree of his aides.
Chavez controls all the political institutions, including the court, and his supporters have been physically assaulting opponents, according to the Times. This has made enemies with many of his lieutenants abandoning him.
Corruption is widespread. A newspaper report says that “years of record oil revenues poured petro-dollars into the pockets of those who knew how to play the system, including, it is alleged, relatives of government ministers”.
One real estate agent noted that his “best customers are Chavistas. They pick the apartment they want and they pay cash”. The article added: “Oil deals, the nationalisation of big companies, government building contracts and exchange rate controls have created opportunities for “commissions” and arbitrage.
When a pro-Chavez national assembly member, named and shamed alleged sleaze merchants close to the President, he was expelled from the party and labelled a “counter-revolutionary” by state media, says the news report.
Chavez has railed against the corruption describing it as the antithesis of Che Guevara’s ascetic ideals. According to a news report, he chided those who liked to sip whiskey asking, “What kind of revolution is this? The whisky revolution; the Hummer revolution; No! This is a real revolution”.
Chavez is surrounded by corrupt aides but he is a smart politician who tries to win over the poor by allowing them privileges they never before enjoyed.
Recognising he lost the last referendum by just 1.4%, he seeks to win over converts by permitting the referendum to end term limits for other offices.
He is counting on picking up support this way. But the vote is still close although experts say the opposition still has the edge. Students are opposed to the referendum and they have an effective organisation.
With the referendum just a few days away, antigovernment protests have intensified and pro-Chavez vigilantes have attacked critics.
Using violence has turned off a lot of voters. Many people say they are election weary. They may choose not to vote which could help Chavez. The race is too hard to predict going either way. I find it strange that Chavez will risk losing a second referendum. Chavez is desperate for a victory that he will pull all stops to win. I hope democracy triumphs.
Vishnu Bisram
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