Posted on 08/17/2004 4:24:26 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - Strengthened by his victory in a popular referendum, leftist President Hugo Chavez is now setting his sights on centralizing power, including exerting control over the courts and the police.
The leftist government is "going to deepen the social and democratic revolution in Venezuela," Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel, Chavez's right-hand man, vowed Tuesday.
The opposition was in a shambles after voters decided by 58-42 percent in Sunday's referendum that Chavez should complete his term in office. Lacking a vision on how to rebound from the loss, some oppositions politicians insisted on a recount - while others suggested they move on.
Chavez told a news conference late Monday the victory will give the government a "catalyzing energy" to carry out its initiatives, including "completing the transformation of the judicial branch" in Venezuela.
Congress, already controlled by Chavez supporters, recently approved a measure that allows them to remove and appoint judges to the Supreme Court. One Supreme Court justice has already been given the boot for allegedly falsifying his resume, a charge he denied.
The government is also seeking to exert control over TV and radio stations, many of which are deeply critical of Chavez and carry one-sided news reports against him. The government plans to submit a bill to Congress that would allow the government to ban programming it sees as slanderous or incites violence, and to punish violators.
The government is also studying the possibility of unifying municipal and state police forces into a national police force, wresting control from mayors and governors, many of whom are Chavez opponents.
Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel said Tuesday the government will "deepen the revolution ... we will be more audacious, more effective, destined to benefit the country's majority poor."
Chavez's drive to centralize powers has stoked worries among some critics that he intends to install a Cuba-style dictatorship, even though elections and the referendum held since he was swept to power in 1998 have been free and fair.
Albis Munoz, president of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce, on Tuesday demanded clarity on what the government plans to do "and that it respect private property."
Human Rights Watch recently issued a communique expressing fear that the independence of institutions in Venezuela may be compromised.
If Chavez goes too far in centralizing power, he risks losing popular support, analysts say.
"There's a real risk if he misinterprets the results of the referendum. It was not an endorsement of packing the Supreme Court, jailing political opponents and restricting the media," said Mark Feierstein of Greenberg, Quinlan, Rasner Research, a Washington polling firm that had predicted Chavez's victory.
Chavez won strong support from the poor majority in this nation of 24 million by pouring revenues collected by the state-run oil monopoly into health, education and food programs. Venezuela is the world's fifth-largest oil exporter and has enjoyed a bonanza from record-high oil prices.
Feierstein said in a phone interview that surveys show Chavez's support will defray among Venezuelans if he increases his grip on other institutions and continues to attack his critics.
Cesar Gaviria, head of the Organization of American States, reiterated his endorsement of the results of the referendum but suggested election officials could help calm the country if they conduct an audit.
Opposition voters were shocked by Sunday's outcome because Sumate - a nonprofit group that helped organize the recall petition drive - circulated exit polls showing the opposition leading by 20 points.
If it wants to beat Chavez in the 2006 elections, Venezuela's opposition must find a platform that appeals to the poor. It also needs to come up with a leader.
But such considerations have taken a back seat, with opposition in denial over Chavez's huge popular support and insisting the referendum was fraudulent.
At the United Nations, Secretary-General Kofi Annan appealed to Venezuelans Tuesday to settle all issues related to this weekend's recall referendum on President Hugo Chavez's rule "in the same civic and democratic spirit that prevailed during the voting."
So naive. They're isn't going to be another election. Or if so, it's result is already guaranteed via electronic "voting." The institution of Castroism with the compliance of American technology.
Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel said Tuesday the government will "deepen the revolution ... we will be more audacious, more effective, destined to benefit the country's majority poor."
Do these ideas sound that far removed from the sort of debate some in Congress wage? McCain threatened television and radio broadcasters about the time they devoted to elections, they threaten Fox News, they attack Limbaugh broadcasts to the troops, etc. And of course they never give up seeking money for the poor, not opportunity, just money to maintain eternal dependence.
Get real! Chavez fought the recall tooth and nail until he found a sure fire way to rig the election. The next election will be only slightly more legitimate than Saddam's last one. Get use to this guy, he's dictator for life.
When you have moved beyond law, you are in a state of war, whether or not you recognize it.
Chavez is absolutely clear on this point. His opposition doesn't get it. If your enemy is prepared to shed your blood, and you aren't, you are beaten.
I love Venezuelans, and they are going to make great neighbors. Expect to see a few thousand taking up residence here each year for the next few years, as Venezuela continues its free-fall.
Kerry and Chavez will get along just fine. They are two peas in a pod.
Just before the election were planted stories that the oil markets feared a loss for Chavez.
the American govt. just approved of the results.
Bush could have given the "yes" to prevent further gas price increases beofre the election. Chavez, and his Iranian and Cuban cohorts, would have sabotaged the markets.
As is, Chavez remains in power, will suppress or slow down domestic oil production, in return Iran (the money) and Cuba (the manpower) will keep him in power. But, I suspect, we made a temporary deal. Might have sent them our "electronic voting machines" too.
It will all go down in three years. We get screwed, Venezuelans get screwed, only profiteers are other opec countries and Castro.
Shades of the DNC wishlist.
I wonder if the BBC and J. Chirac approve. We already know that Jimmy Carter does.
I'm sure Jacques Qerri was on the phone looking for the Chavez endorsement as soon as the Peanut Farmer called to let him know the new computer worm to "fix" electronic voting machines had performed perfectly.
Suckers... The irony is unbelievable. After all, only socialism could make China poorer and more destitute than it had ever been in its 5000 year history, before Deng Xiaoping saw the light. 2 words to anyone living in Venezuela: Get Out!
bump
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