Venezuelans stage a large protest march against the government of President Hugo Chavez through downtown Caracas, June 15, 2002. Thousands took to the streets to demand Chavez resign. (Jose Miguel Gomez/Reuters)
Posted on 06/17/2002 3:36:18 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, facing opposition calls for his resignation two months after surviving a brief coup, challenged his political foes on Sunday to unseat him through a national referendum next year.
But the populist president, ousted for 48 hours in April by rebel military and civilian leaders, brushed off opposition attempts to topple his 3-year-old government.
"Some people think that I'm about to get knocked out ... I'm not going to fall and I'm not going to resign," Chavez said during his weekly television and radio program.
The world's No. 5 oil exporter, still rattled by political unease eight weeks after the failed coup, is deeply fractured as critics and supporters of the fiery left-wing leader remain at loggerheads over the deaths of more than 60 people during the uprising.
Chavez, a former paratrooper who led a failed coup in 1992, returned to power with the help of loyal troops.
He has since called for reconciliation, but political foes believe he is unwilling to change or enter into real dialogue. Talks between the rival groups have stalled and an investigation into the coup has yet to yield results.
The president's political rivals and opposition union officials are now seeking constitutional means to remove Chavez from power, including amending the constitution to shorten his term or holding a national referendum to prompt new elections before Chavez's mandate expires in 2006.
But most opposition proposals would have to pass through the National Assembly, where pro-government parties hold a slim majority.
"Just wait, work and try and get rid of me. On 19 August 2003, those who want to get rid of Chavez will have a constitutional, democratic opportunity to ask for a referendum," Chavez said.
"And in case those who want me out manage to win the referendum, I'll collect my things and leave."
Since 1998, Chavez has faced growing opposition to his self-proclaimed "revolution" he says has aided the poor and helped address inequality.
But critics blame his government's social reforms and ties to anti-U.S. states such as Cuba and Libya for scaring off investors and splitting the oil-rich nation along class lines.
Yeah, right. Just give him one more year to consolidate his power.
Chavez initially gained power in a coup himself. What's fair is fair.
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