[Cincinatus' Wife]

Tens of thousands of Venezuelans opposed to President Hugo Chavez rally in Caracas, December 14, 2002. Chavez's opponents, who blame him for pushing Venezuela into recession and political chaos, launched a strike seeking to pressure him to resign or call early election. REUTERS/Chico Sanchez

Hugo Chavez - Venezuela

[Cincinatus' Wife]

***As the protest raged, Chavez and his government rejected a Bush administration call for early elections to resolve the political turmoil. Government officials said an early election, as demanded by the opposition, would be in violation of the country's constitution, which permits a binding referendum on the president's rule no earlier than August.

"I think they have not properly evaluated Venezuelan affairs," Chavez said of the Bush administration in an interview with CNN en Español, the network's Spanish-language service that is broadcast in Latin America. "They are confused. We will have to send them a copy of the constitution." ***

The Bush administration isn't confused.

Chavez is whistling past the graveyard.

[Robert_Paulson2]

Ominous.

Dangerous.

God help them.

A Madman is President.

Sounds a little like here, back two and a half years ago...

[Eva]

Our friend in Venezuela sent his wife back to the states last week because he fears that the airports will run out of jet fuel soon, making it difficult to leave the country should the need arise.

[ex-Texan]

Mark my words: Next he will ordering his Army to fire on peaceful demonstators. Expect that to happen soon.

[friendly]

Hugo Chavez has two jobs: Venezuelan strongman and Cuban First Lady.

[1rudeboy]

They are confused.

No we are not, Mr. Chavez. You can confuse CNN, and you can confuse the Houston Chronicle, but you cannot confuse us.

Chavez praises 'advanced' constitution [BBC]