On Thursday, election authorities said observers from the United Nations, the Organization of American States and the Atlanta-based Carter Center would be invited for the Nov. 28-Dec. 1 opposition signature drive. Those organizations have endorsed the presidential recall referendum as a peaceful and democratic way to break a political deadlock that triggered the coup and a two-month strike earlier this year.
Opponents of Chávez, a former army lieutenant colonel who was reelected in 2000, aim to gather 2.4 million signatures required to hold the presidential recall vote. The referendum would likely be held in March or April if the signature drive is successful.
Zambrano said the presence of foreign observers would help avert possible violence and increase transparency during the four-day signature drive. ''Obviously, this will create confidence among citizens so they participate massively in the signature drive,'' Zambrano said.
Government foes say that Chavistas, as the president's backers are called, are planning to disrupt the petition drive with acts of violence. ***
''Venezuela is a deeply polarized society. There's a reason for that,'' Roger Noriega, assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs, told the America's Conference in Miami without singling out either President Hugo Chávez or opponents demanding a recall referendum.
…………… Another leading opposition figure brought the Venezuela issue home to Miami by framing the recall effort as a bid to end an unholy bond between the strongman and Castro.
''The Castro-Chávez alliance is a dark chapter of our history,'' said Manuel Cova, secretary general of the Venezuelan Workers Confederation.
``The presence of Cuban agents interferes dramatically in military affairs, security and intelligence matters -- even in the health and education system. All of them have a mission -- consolidate and defend the Bolivarian revolution and open the path for Chávez to remain in power.''***