Saturday, February 7, 2009

Venezuelans turn out in the thousands to protest Chavez reelection

Caracas was lined with people this Saturday as thousands of Venezuelans turned out ahead of the February 15th referendum to protest against the potential end to presidential term limits.

Venezuelan society remains polarized down the middle in terms of those who support Chavez and those who oppose him. However, past attempts by Chavez to change the constitution in order for him to be allowed to run for reelection in 2012 and beyond have failed.


Manifestantes participaron en marcha contra la aprobación de la enmienda
constitucional del presidente Hugo Chávez en Caracas, 7 feb 2009.
REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins (VENEZUELA)

If one thing is certain, Latin Americans have had their share of "leaders for life." Even some ardent Chavistas think it's taking things a bit too far.

This is where it seems the opposition, particularly from the Universities are focusing their campaign, passing out pamphlets of a very interesting quote by Chavez's ideological buddy Simon Bolivar.

"Nothing is as dangerous as letting the same citizen remain in power for a long time."

~ Simon
Bolivar-- 19th century leader of Latin America's struggle for independence against Spain


Click here if you can read Spanish for the Reuters story this picture came from
Click here for a article in English about this weekends protests from AP

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