Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez has survived a recall referendum, winning a clear majority of the vote according to news sources. The National Electoral Council president, Francisco Carrasquero, announced at 4 a.m. that Mr. Chavez had won in a landslide, with 58% of the vote. “There is a clear difference in favor of the government of President Chavez,” said former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who helped monitor the election with the Organization of American States. “The Venezuelan people have spoken and the people’s voice is the voice of God!” roared Chavez, as he addressed the crowd from the presidential palace.
Chavez, a populist who has long been at odds with the U.S. government, came into office in 1998 and instituted reformist land and wealth redistribution programs, which he refers to as the “Bolivian Revolution.” His reforms have earned him the enmity of the Venezuelan elites who initiated the referendum effort after they tried unsuccessfully to depose Chavez through a military coup in 2002. The Venezuelan opposition to Chavez is suspected of having ties to the current U.S. administration, which is thought to have had a hand in the 2002 coup attempt.
For commentary and insights into Chavez’s Referendum victory:
- The Importance of Hugo Chavez – Tariq Ali
- Chavez Triumphs – Sharmini Peries
- The Venezuelan Referendum Ends – Justin Podur
- Why Venezuela has Voted Again for Their ‘Negro e Indio’ President – Greg Palast
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