August 15, 2004

Venezuela Holds Chavez Recall Vote

Summoned by bugle calls and firecrackers, millions of Venezuelans turned out in unprecedented numbers Sunday to vote on whether to force leftist President Hugo Chavez from office.
[Dontcha love the AP? "leftist" with a small "L" is being more than kind to Castro pal and virtual Communist Chavez!--Jen]

Lines snaked for blocks in upscale neighborhoods, where suspicion is high that the leftist leader plans a Cuba-style dictatorship, and in the slums, where support for his "revolution for the poor" is fervent. A seven-hour wait to vote was common.

The first-ever recall referendum for a president in Venezuela's history was aimed at putting a lid on years of often violent political unrest and came after a lengthy and complicated process of mass signings of petitions.
[...]
"This is the largest turnout I have ever seen," said former President Jimmy Carter, who monitored the vote. "There are thousands of people in line, waiting patiently and without any disturbance."
[At least Jimmuh Peanut is making himself of use somewhere...for once!--J.T.]
[...]
The referendum culminates a two-year drive to oust Chavez, which included a short-lived 2002 coup, a devastating two-month strike and political riots last March that claimed a dozen lives.

Please, please, please get rid of this Commie, Venezuela!
It's going to help your economy and consequently your lives and the progress of your country so much, whereas the continuance of a Chavez regime will mean only more misery.
Yes, it will benefit the U.S.A. to have him gone, too.
We'd love to import a lot more Venezualan oil and without Chavez, Venezuela will not only be producing more, but will be eager to sell it to us once again.
Chavez hates the U.S. and he especially hates a capitalist and liberator like President Bush, so down with him!