Caracas, Venezuela
In a sign of growing opposition to the leftist regime of President Hugo Chavez, tens of thousands of Venezuelans filled the streets of Caracas this week in support of Manuel Rosales, a candidate in December’s presidential election. Rosales, the center-left governor of the oil-rich state of Zulia, is the front-runner among 18 candidates opposing Chavez. Rosales has campaigned heavily in poor areas of Venezuela, which are Chavez strongholds, talking up his plan to distribute debit cards to the poor. “Rosales is buying votes from the poor by offering something in return like cash,” says political commentator Alberto Garrido. “He is acting like a demagogue.” Chavez, who took office in 1999, has been a vociferous critic of the U.S. and President Bush, calling him “the devil” during a recent speech at the United Nations.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Chicken with Steph's spiceThe Week Recommends This Caribbean-inspired recipe is mouthwateringly delicious
-
A peaceful seaside village in TurkeyThe Week Recommends Çıralı has been spared the 'scourge' of all-inclusive resort development
-
Tax plans spell trouble in the North SeaTalking Point Labour’s tax plans are whipping up a storm. Are the worries of opponents justified?
