Venezuelans speaking their minds
Posted: Friday, November 30, 2007 3:41 PM
Filed Under:
On Assignment
By Mary Murray, NBC News Producer
CARACAS, Venezuela – In a country where some fear democracy is about to be muzzled, just about everyone seems to have something to say.
Venezuelans Sunday go to the polls to vote on a package of changes to the nation’s constitution that would, among other things, allow President Hugo Chavez to run for president his entire life and cut the work week down to 30-hours.
Tens of thousands of Chavez’s opponents poured into Caracas streets Thursday under a slogan "Shout No!" while even greater numbers of his supporters gathered Friday under the "Yes" banner.
Caracas painted in politics
The city is plastered with political signs from both sides – some slicker than others.
The government has hung hundreds of colorful banners along lampposts and billboards, urging people to stick with the man who took power in 1999.
The "No" campaign, a loose alliance of university students, old-guard politicians, and Chavez defectors, has had less access to posting their message on state property, so it has resorted to painting over the fancy pro-government signs and passing out handbills on street corners in downtown Caracas.
One wall near Venezuela’s Central University is plastered with a medley of messages, from "Christians Say Yes" to "Anarchists Against Chavez."
Government supporters wielding cans of red spray paint marked the gate around the 5-star Embassy Suites with a gigantic red "Sí."
People are even speaking their minds through their clothing. Donning blue t-shirts and caps means you are against the proposed constitutional changes and will vote "No" in the referendum.
Wearing red screams that you support the changes Chavez is promoting and will vote "Yes" in the ballot.
Tight race
According to recent polls, Sunday’s vote will most likely be close, although like any good political fight each camp remains convinced their side will win.
But both sides are anything but naïve about the possibility of a loss. The opposition has a carefully crafted plan to closely monitor the results, ready to call "foul" at any hint of fraud.
Leopoldo Lopez, the mayor of the Chacao municipality in Caracas and a major opposition leader, told NBC News that he wants to see grassroots organizing to defeat Chavez in the next election, scheduled for 2012.
Even Chavez concedes that the last word lies with the Venezuelan people. If his constitutional "reform" package loses, Chavez said he would "start packing," despite the fact that his current presidential term goes until 2012. However, he predicts the reforms will be approved by a "crushing majority."
