Chavez faces recall

Caracas

Thousands of Venezuelans celebrated in the streets of Caracas last week after election officials said President Hugo Chavez would likely face a recall vote. The demonstrators, who accuse Chavez of trying to impose a Cuba-style dictatorship, waved banners saying, “Your Time Is Nearly Up!” Electoral authorities said the opposition appeared to have gathered enough signatures on petitions to force a referendum. Chavez, who survived a coup attempt in April 2002, had tried to thwart the recall. But he told throngs of supporters he now welcomed the chance to affirm his popularity. “I’m happy that instead of coups, the opposition is planning a democratic referendum,” Chavez said. “Now is when the game begins.”

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

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.

Sign up