Candidates Compete in Venezuela Elections

[cal04]

Allies of President Hugo Chavez and opposition candidates competed for key gubernatorial and mayoral posts in elections Sunday, with tens of thousands of police and soldiers standing by to prevent politically fueled clashes.

After failing to oust Chavez with a recall referendum in August, a two-month strike or a botched 2002 coup, Venezuela's opposition was hoping to end its poor track record and boost sympathizers' confidence by making gains in the local posts.

But opposition leaders may have difficulty because they failed to choose single candidates in many states and municipalities, leaving multiple rivals to face single candidates endorsed by Chavez months ago.

``Chavez needs governors and mayors who support his movement for change, and those are the ones I'm voting for today,'' said Gustavo Reyes, standing in line outside a voting center in the capital's poor Petare district. ``The candidates who are against Chavez don't offer anything new,'' added Reyes, a 32-year-old taxi driver who, like many, refers to the former paratroop commander as ``El Comandante'' rather than president.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/international/AP-Venezuela-Elections.html

[pinerow]

1. Way to go...there is hope in South America.

nt

[BayCityProgressive]

2. if * is re-elected

Perhaps thats where all the American liberals will have to go into exile lol.