VENEZUELA: Social programs could give President Hugo Chavez the edge in upcoming referendum to allow him to extend rule

Record ID: 345994

  • Title: VENEZUELA: Social programs could give President Hugo Chavez the edge in upcoming referendum to allow him to extend rule
  • Date: 13th February 2009
  • Summary: CARACAS, VENEZUELA (FEBRUARY 10, 2009) (REUTERS) SIGN READING: NO MORE GIFTS, VOTE NO ON INDEFINITE REELECTION CARACAS, VENEZUELA (RECENT) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF CHAVEZ HEADING MARCH IN PETARE NEIGHBORHOOD GOVERNMENT HELICOPTER WATCHING OVER MARCH VARIOUS OF CARAVAN AND CHAVEZ WAVING TO PEOPLE
  • Embargoed: 28th February 2009 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA6DMH2VF7YK80A00GITVAICKZT
  • Story Text: Campaigning in Venezuela's reaches the home stretch as future of Chavez's socialist revolution hangs in balance at Sunday's referendum vote. Polls show popular social programs could help reforms pass, possibly allowing Chavez to rule indefinitely.
    Cheap housing, health clinics and even a new cable car have kept President Hugo Chavez popular in the Caracas slum of San Agustin throughout a turbulent decade and help explain why Venezuelans may approve the socialist leader's bid to extend his rule.
    Himself from humble roots, Chavez is relying on his enduring popularity among the poor to win a referendum vote on Sunday (February 15) that would let him govern Venezuela for as long as he keeps winning elections.
    Although major problems such as violent crime have cut into Chavez's once overwhelming support among the poor, he is still very popular here for investing in health clinics and projects to move families from precarious shacks.
    In San Agustin, a cable car will also soon be opened, saving residents of the hilltop slum hours of walking each week.
    And while Chavez is slightly ahead in most polls, he could lose if turnout is low or if undecided voters swing against him.
    Millions of Chavez supporters chose not to vote when he last tried to change the electoral rules in 2007 as part of an overhaul of the constitution, and he narrowly lost.
    That's why people like veteran activist and former guerrilla Livia Perez are hitting the streets in San Agustin and hundreds of other tightly packed "barrios" that consume the steep hills around Caracas and contain a large part of the city's estimated 5 million habitants.

    "We are on patrol. We are doing field work to break this pattern of abstention, because the people are more convinced than the oligarchy. They are making a strong attack and we can't just stay home with the mentality that we are going to win. We have to get out and vote," he said.
    But the opposition is hoping to capitalize on Chavez's shortcomings, including corruption and bureaucracy plaguing his government that have put him behind on goals such as building affordable homes for the poor.
    Many Caracas barrios have received less help than San Agustin and in regional elections late last year Chavez's party lost control of the city hall.
    Student Emilio Guillermo de Armas said he, like many, is concerned Chavez is a dictator-in-the-making and wanted to turn the OPEC nation into a communist-run state.

    "What we are promoting with this campaign is simply that there not be indefinite re-election in which a government gets used to ruling for four, eight, 12 or even 40 years, as is the case in Cuba," he said.
    Students marches were fundamental in turning the tide against Chavez in 2007 and they are again hitting the streets, protesting and passing out brochures to motorists.
    At a march held by Chavez supporters, Fernando Guarate said Chavez is showing he's democratic ruler by allowing the referendum vote.

    "Before the government turned its back on the people, now they are giving the people the opportunity to say yes or no to this modification, which reforms just five points in the constitution," he said.
    The opposition maintains that this vote is redundant.
    At a rally to turn back the reforms again, Manuel Morey said they will just have to rebuke him again.

    "We had already told him told him no. No is no. But it looks like he didn't understand so we are reiterating that no is no," Morey said.
    A new defeat could mean his ambition to turn Venezuela into a beacon of socialism will end in four years, although he does not rule out future bids to change the constitution.
    But Chavez is hoping to tap the passion of loyal supporters who make up about a third of voters and love their leader for, they say, making Venezuela's millions of poor feel cared for.
    Last weekend, residents spilled onto the streets to watch the president canvassing door-to-door in the sprawling Petare neighborhood, which was for years a bastion of Chavez support.
    But hundreds of people are killed by gunfire in Petare every year, and residents fed up with violence and poorly-lit, trash-strewn streets voted in an opposition mayor last year.
    They say Chavez should resolve these problems and others such as high food prices rather than seeking to stay in power.
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