Copycats

29 September 2003


Venezuela Takes Recall Cue from California

Despite having lost the confidence of his people, Hugo Chavez remains president of Venezuela. That may not be the case for much longer, though, as the nation's election council has approved rules for a recall ballot. While the Kensington Review is on record as saying Mr. Chavez should resign, the approval of these rules is a disaster, bringing Venezuela a step closer to the kind of Third World democracy normally associated with Florida or California.

Earlier in his presidency, Mr. Chavez was removed by the armed forces of Venezuela for two days. So convinced was the outside world that the people of Venezuela would go along, the Bush administration recognized the new government. Instead, the people protested, and the army backed down. Consider what that means -- the army gave up power to the people because the soldiers weren't strong enough to make their coup d'etat stick.

Now, Mr. Chavez has faced days of general strike and other forms of protest, yet he refuses to go. He argues that the people elected him, and they are stuck with him until that term ends. As much as he needs to leave office for the good of his country, he is right. Having voted him in, the people have to live with their choice. And Mr. Chavez lacks the decency to admit failure and leave of his own volition.

So now, the opposition needs to collect 2.4 million valid signatures in four days to force a recall election, and the election council would have 97 days to review them. A Venezuelan recount could happen by February 29, 2004, which according to polls would show a 30 point margin of victory for the opposition. For a time, there was concern that California's recall would be postponed until March 2004, but the courts have decided to let it happen in October. This is good news for Venezuelans; Mr. Schwarzenneger, Ms. Huffington and Mr. Gary Coleman could start a South American tour after their California circus ends.

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