Rivals seek new inroads against Venezuela's Chavez

[Judi Lynn]

Rivals seek new inroads against Venezuela's Chavez
Posted: Mar 25, 2011 11:48 AM CDT
Updated: Mar 25, 2011 2:28 PM CDT

By CHRISTOPHER TOOTHAKER
Associated Press

ELORZA, Venezuela (AP) - Rugged cattle ranchers put down their beers and size up the young politician in cowboy boots as he shakes hands at the country fair, trying to win support in a town considered a stronghold of President Hugo Chavez.

Leopoldo Lopez, a 39-year-old Harvard-educated former mayor and Chavez opponent, is making frequent visits to small towns like Elorza in Venezuela's rural heartland as the country's opposition tries to capitalize on discontent to make inroads in what have long been bastions of support for the socialist president.

"In order to be victorious, we must have a presence in every corner of the country," Lopez said last weekend between conversations with farmers who complained of potholed roads, government land seizures and price controls that have squeezed their incomes.

Venezuela's opposition is preparing a primary vote to choose a single candidate to challenge Chavez for the presidency next year, and Lopez is one of several politicians who hope to win it. A strong showing in legislative elections last September has given opposition leaders a renewed sense of hope.

More:
http://www.abc27.com/Global/story.asp?S=14321816

http://media.kansascity.com.nyud.net:8090/smedia/2011/03/25/13/741-393Venezuela_Opposition_Contenders.sff.embedded.prod_affiliate.81.jpg

Leopoldo Lopez bonding with the "little man".

http://www.globoterror.com.nyud.net:8090/files/images/leo_ama_a_obama.jpg

Leopoldo Lopez communing with President Obama.

http://cache.daylife.com.nyud.net:8090/imageserve/0coBexGb3j5cE/439x.jpg

Just call me "Farmer Lopez".