Some Political Analysis as referendum approaches in Venezuela

Excerpts from article by Anastasia O’Grady

When Venezuelans cast their votes on Feb. 15 they will be answering just one question: Do you approve of changing five articles in the constitution so as to allow for the indefinite re-election of the president, legislators, governors and mayors?

The referendum question did not originally include legislators, governors and mayors. But when an earlier proposal asked for indefinite re-election only for the president, it met with widespread skepticism. So Mr. Chávez decided to widen the field in the hope of picking up support. Even so, everyone knows this is a referendum on the president.

In the past month, Chávez enforcers have been attacking student groups that are trying to rally Venezuelans to vote “no.” Tear gas and rubber bullets have produced both physical injuries and rising fears of violence around the country. This could affect voter turnout. It also raises doubts about whether enough opposition observers can be mobilized to guard the vote on election night. If not, and Mr. Chávez “wins,” things are likely to get a whole lot scarier.

Full article

Chavez: “Holiday to honour me”

Schools turned pupils away, civil servants stayed home and banks shut their doors after President Hugo Chávez, taking Venezuela by surprise, declared Monday a national holiday. He announced the holiday on Sunday to commemorate his rise to power 10 years ago and the start of his Bolivarian Revolution. “Be alert, for the sword of Bolívar strides through Latin America,” he said at a ceremony on Monday, at the tomb of the liberation hero Simón Bolívar.

Businesses and schools were closed after they scrambled on Sunday to tell their employees and students to stay at home. Mr. Chavez’s decree, and threats to fine companies failing to comply, showed the sometimes arbitrary leadership of Mr. Chavez as well as his political astuteness to understand the move would be popular with Venezuelan workers.

wow. nuff said.