Hugo Chavez the would be dictator of Venezuela is facing one of the biggest challenges to his power, term limits. In order to remain in power he has setup a constitutional referendum that if passed will allow him to remain President for life. It will also grant him sweeping emergency powers that will let him arrest and hold anyone who opposes his Soviet style socialist revolution.

Because of this, many people in Venezuela are afraid of that their country is going to become a totalitarian regime. That seems very likely with the way Chavez is amassing power. Even some of his long time supporters and his ex-wife are expressing concern about what Chavez is doing to his country. One recent poll showed that his referendum may actually be losing support. However the most recent poll showed his referendum was catching up and may be in a dead heat. With such an important vote so close in numbers, the question of voter fraud will always come up. Especially with Chavez, who's opponents claim has conducted massive voter fraud in his last election. Because of this and the impact that this vote will have on a democratic Venezuela, many countries around the world are watching this election.

That is why I find it interesting that Hugo Chavez has threatened to stop all shipments of oil to the U.S. if we claim that there was voter fraud. It sounds to me like he expects the U.S. to claim that voter fraud is taking place and wants to bullying the U.S. into remaining quiet. You can look at this two ways.

1. Hugo Chavez is a thorn in the U.S. side and we will do anything we can to prevent him from remaining in power.

2. Hugo Chavez wants to make sure that his reforms go through so that he can remain in power and is planning on making sure the vote goes his way.

So which one is it? Supporters of communism will claim the it is the first one. Supporters of democracy will claim the second. I think it is qui bono, Hugo Chavez has the most to gain. This referendum will make sure that he stays in power and can arrest anyone who opposes him. The U.S. may not like Chavez but our resources are being stretched enough as it is with the War on Terror.

I believe that Hugo Chavez is going to make sure he wins this election, and will do anything to prevent the U.S. from trying to support his opponents who will surely cry foul if he wins.

- Thomas Paine 2

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