Venezuela’s Chavez Claims Victory In Controversial Referendum
Monday, February 16, 2009 (12:53 pm)
By George Whitten, International Corespondent
CARACAS, VENEZUELA (Worthy News) -- Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez claimed victory Monday, February 16, in a referendum bid to be re-elected indefinitely and continue his "Socialist Revolution", but opponents said the results were tainted by intimidation.
The alleged outcome of Sunday's ballot on whether to end re-election limits for public officials allows Chavez to run for president in 2012 and perhaps to stay in power indefinitely and create a Socialist dictatorship, analysts say.
In his victory speech, Chavez said that, "Those who voted ‘yes’ today voted for socialism, for revolution." Yet the opposition claimed Chavez used unfair election practices, including pressuring two million state employees. In addition, television networks were forced under controversial legislation to air all of Chavez's speeches.
"Effectively this will become a dictatorship. It’s control of all the powers, lack of separation of powers, unscrupulous use of state resources, persecution of adversaries," opposition leader, Omar Barboza told The Associated Press news agency.
OPPOSITION LEADER
Ahead of the referendum, the Venezuelan State prosecutor also charged a main opposition leader, Manuel Rosales, in December with corruption, which he claimed was politically motivated.
During the local and regional elections campaign, Chavez accused Rosales of anything, from ties to terrorism to corruption. He also threatened with “military action” against the opposition if they won elections last November.
In recent months, Colectiva la Piedrita, a group said to support Chavez’s Socialist agenda, has reportedly targeted leaders opposed to the constitutional amendment that will allow Chavez to be re-elected.
Richardo Sanchez, a student leader in Venezuela, who led a movement opposed to the amendment, reportedly had his car torched last week as he was leading a press conference denouncing violence.
TEAR GASSING HOME
Two days later, Colectiva la Piedrita claimed responsibility for tear gassing the home of a private television station director in Venezuela who is also critical of the government.
Journalists with major television network Globovision said they were the victims of similar attacks earlier this month. The station has been highly critical of the Chavez government leading up to the vote.
Last week, three tear gas canisters were fired at the Vatican’s embassy in Venezuela. It was the second such attack in less than three weeks and the seventh overall in the past year, church officials said.
Colectiva la Piedrita apparently left pamphlets outside the Vatican's diplomatic mission, saying the the Catholic Church was involved in " "treason against the Venezuelan government."
CONDEMNING RECENT ATTACK
The latest attack occurred just hours after a conference condemning a recent attack against the main synagogue in the capital Caracas.
The main synagogue in Caracas was attacked just over two weeks ago when 15 armed men attacked the Tiferet Israel Sephardic synagogue, January 30, Jewish officials said. They defaced the synagogue with anti-Semitic graffiti which included phrases such as, “Death to the Jews,” “Damn the Jews,” "Jews out of here,” and “Israel assassins.” The perpetrators also left behind a picture of a devil, authorities said.
In January, Venezuela cut all ties with Israel to protest against the military operation in Gaza.
"This time, the Israeli government's despicable behavior has resulted in 19 days of continuous bombing, killing more than 1,000 people and devastated the infrastructure of the population of Gaza, a humanitarian disaster is unfolding before the eyes of world," Venezuela's Foreign Ministry said at the time.
There are increasing concerns within the Jewish community in Venezuela over President’s Chavez’s close relationship with Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who denies the holocaust and has called for Israel to be “wiped off the map.”
Christian missionaries are also concerned. Two years ago, New Tribes Mission reported having to leave Venezuela’s tribal regions due to a government resolution forcing its missionaries to leave the country.
CARACAS, VENEZUELA (Worthy News) -- Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez claimed victory Monday, February 16, in a referendum bid to be re-elected indefinitely and continue his "Socialist Revolution", but opponents said the results were tainted by intimidation.
The alleged outcome of Sunday's ballot on whether to end re-election limits for public officials allows Chavez to run for president in 2012 and perhaps to stay in power indefinitely and create a Socialist dictatorship, analysts say.
In his victory speech, Chavez said that, "Those who voted ‘yes’ today voted for socialism, for revolution." Yet the opposition claimed Chavez used unfair election practices, including pressuring two million state employees. In addition, television networks were forced under controversial legislation to air all of Chavez's speeches.
"Effectively this will become a dictatorship. It’s control of all the powers, lack of separation of powers, unscrupulous use of state resources, persecution of adversaries," opposition leader, Omar Barboza told The Associated Press news agency.
OPPOSITION LEADER
Ahead of the referendum, the Venezuelan State prosecutor also charged a main opposition leader, Manuel Rosales, in December with corruption, which he claimed was politically motivated.
During the local and regional elections campaign, Chavez accused Rosales of anything, from ties to terrorism to corruption. He also threatened with “military action” against the opposition if they won elections last November.
In recent months, Colectiva la Piedrita, a group said to support Chavez’s Socialist agenda, has reportedly targeted leaders opposed to the constitutional amendment that will allow Chavez to be re-elected.
Richardo Sanchez, a student leader in Venezuela, who led a movement opposed to the amendment, reportedly had his car torched last week as he was leading a press conference denouncing violence.
TEAR GASSING HOME
Two days later, Colectiva la Piedrita claimed responsibility for tear gassing the home of a private television station director in Venezuela who is also critical of the government.
Journalists with major television network Globovision said they were the victims of similar attacks earlier this month. The station has been highly critical of the Chavez government leading up to the vote.
Last week, three tear gas canisters were fired at the Vatican’s embassy in Venezuela. It was the second such attack in less than three weeks and the seventh overall in the past year, church officials said.
Colectiva la Piedrita apparently left pamphlets outside the Vatican's diplomatic mission, saying the the Catholic Church was involved in " "treason against the Venezuelan government."
CONDEMNING RECENT ATTACK
The latest attack occurred just hours after a conference condemning a recent attack against the main synagogue in the capital Caracas.
The main synagogue in Caracas was attacked just over two weeks ago when 15 armed men attacked the Tiferet Israel Sephardic synagogue, January 30, Jewish officials said. They defaced the synagogue with anti-Semitic graffiti which included phrases such as, “Death to the Jews,” “Damn the Jews,” "Jews out of here,” and “Israel assassins.” The perpetrators also left behind a picture of a devil, authorities said.
In January, Venezuela cut all ties with Israel to protest against the military operation in Gaza.
"This time, the Israeli government's despicable behavior has resulted in 19 days of continuous bombing, killing more than 1,000 people and devastated the infrastructure of the population of Gaza, a humanitarian disaster is unfolding before the eyes of world," Venezuela's Foreign Ministry said at the time.
There are increasing concerns within the Jewish community in Venezuela over President’s Chavez’s close relationship with Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who denies the holocaust and has called for Israel to be “wiped off the map.”
Christian missionaries are also concerned. Two years ago, New Tribes Mission reported having to leave Venezuela’s tribal regions due to a government resolution forcing its missionaries to leave the country.
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