Caracas
Opposition groups vowed to shut down Venezuela with a general strike after President Hugo Chavez laughed off their call for early elections. The anti-Chavez front includes the South American country’s largest labor union as well as leading business groups, which accuse Chavez of sending the oil-rich nation’s economy into a free fall. Chavez—a populist who touts his friendship with Fidel Castro—survived a coup attempt in April and said neither violence nor political pressure could force him to step down before his term ends in 2007. Besides, he said, the constitution his allies pushed through in 1999 makes no provision for replacing an elected leader. “I’d call early elections just to beat them once more if the constitution permitted it,” Chavez said.
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.
-
Today's political cartoons - May 4, 2024Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - reflections in the pond, riding shotgun, and more
-
5 high-caliber cartoons about Kristi Noem shooting her puppyCartoons Artists take on the rainbow bridge, a farm upstate, and more
-
The Week Unwrapped: Why is the world running low on blood?Podcast Scientists believe universal donor blood is within reach – plus, the row over an immersive D-Day simulation, and an Ozempic faux pas
