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Monday, November 5, 2007
In news from Venezuela, ex military chief Raul Baduel has spoken out aganst President Hugo Chavez's plans to reform the constitution by scrapping presidential term limits in a package of reforms that must be approved in the Dec. 2 referendum. Baduel, who was the armed forces head as defense minister until July and well-known for helping restore Chavez to power in a brief 2002 coup, said that this (reform) would in effect be a coup, shamelessly violating the text and implementation of the constitution," the retired general said at a news conference. The proposed constitutional package also strips the central bank of its autonomy, gives Chavez direct control over international currency reserves and opens the way for media censorship if the president declares a state of emergency.
Students injured in Venezuelan anti Chavez protests
Meanwhile, more than 50 people were injured and more than 35 students arrested in a clash between Venezuelan Police and students protesting Chavez constitutional reform. Chavez's move has been opposed by the Roman Catholic Church, University students and national rights groups in Venezuela, who planned a joint protest action. Nonetheless students took to the strets two days before the planned protest actions and are demanding a two-month delay in the referendum to allow more time for a nationwide debate on the reforms that were approved by lawmakers on November 2. Chavez's December 2 referendum would implement "economic socialism" and allow the president to suspend media rights during a state of emergency, lift presidential term limits and increase the president's mandate to seven years from six. |
