They need guns. Chavez has them rounded up.
I concur with you. Forget about free elections; it isn't going to happen. Bear in mind that four of the five directors in charge of the electoral body are openly in favour of Chavez. They were elected illegaly by the also subservient new justices of the Supreme Court.
Chavez it is, until he dies or decides to pass the torch. In light of his mentor's precedent what's the likeliness of that event happening?