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| Caribbean-Latin America |
| Storm over Venezuela court reform |
| 2004-05-02 |
| Opposition leaders in Venezuela have sharply criticised controversial new reforms to the Supreme Court. The new law, passed by parliament after a 16-hour session, increases the number of Supreme Court judges from 20 to 32. The opposition says the move will allow President Hugo Chavez to appoint more sympathetic judges and, in effect, dominate the judiciary. It comes as the Supreme Court is considering an opposition bid for a referendum on Mr Chavez's presidency. Critics of the reform include the governor of Miranda state, Enrique Mendoza, who called it "one more act of abuse that defines the totalitarian and centrist vision of this |
| Posted by:Mark Espinola |
| #2 There is a long tradition of neutering a pesky court by packing it. Franklin Roosevelt tried to do it when the Supreme Court pointed out that much of the New Deal was unconstitutional. The real issue is that the Venezuelans have a communist dictator that is going to give up power only when the people take it from his cold dead hand. Somebody needs to introduce Hugo to a 12.7mm round right between the eyes. It might improve the chances for democracy in Venezuela. |
| Posted by: Random thoughts 2004-05-02 2:11:31 AM |
| #1 As a Venezuelan, I say we're fucked! The only way to take Chavez out is feet-first but we are still playing the democratic game. There are 2 countries in the world that I care about- Venezuela and the US. The pseudo-comunists are destroying Venezuela and muslims are destroying the other one. Both countries want to reason with unreasonable people indoctrinated by an illogical idealogy/religion and I am afraid that they (countries) both will lose. I hope I am wrong! |
| Posted by: Anonymous4617 2004-05-02 12:49:43 AM |