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Caribbean-Latin America
Hugo concedes defeat
2007-12-03
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's bid to become president for life failed after he conceded defeat in Sunday's referendum on whether he should be allowed to run indefinitely for reelection in the oil-rich country.

The nation's electoral panel announced that about 51 percent voted against constitutional changes to strengthen presidential powers to promote his campaign to build a socialist economy while about 49 percent voted for them. Voter turnout was about 56 percent.

Chavez, 53, conceded defeat at a news conference.

If Chavez had won the vote on the controversial changes, it would have opened the way for him to realize his hope of staying in power through 2050. As a result of the referendum, Chavez cannot run for a third term under the current Constitution and his term as president will end in 2013.
Posted by:anonymous5089

#14  
Posted by: DMFD   2007-12-03 22:22  

#13  He probably would have won if he had just asked for elimination of term limits. He personally remains popular.

However, the other "reforms" stripped power from congress, states and municipalities, ended property rights, ended union rights, etc. Too many people lost too much.
Posted by: DoDo   2007-12-03 18:40  

#12  This is a simple problem for a guy like Chavez. Just start rounding up people who voted no. He's got several years to cull the herd.
Posted by: Iblis   2007-12-03 12:19  

#11  Methinks this ain't over yet...

Chavez quickly accepted defeat and called for calm. The fiery leftist, who remains popular and powerful, said the people had spoken and he heard them, but he also pledged to find another way to pass his reform plans. "I will not withdraw even one comma of this proposal, this proposal is still alive," he said. "For me, this is not a defeat."
Posted by: tu3031   2007-12-03 11:38  

#10  Hugo's current term doesn't expire until 2012.
Posted by: mrp   2007-12-03 09:47  

#9  And the whole time, Pootie is looking at this and thinking, "Amateur."
Posted by: DarthVader   2007-12-03 09:38  

#8  Because these were "reforms" (the BBC says so, so it must be true, right?), they are in the People's TM interest, therefore the vote must be rescheduled until the people get it right: EU-treaty style.
Posted by: James   2007-12-03 09:17  

#7  Heads are going to roll in the Committiee to Re-Elect.

However I am sure this is just a minor setback that will be easily overcome.
Posted by: Kelly   2007-12-03 09:16  

#6  He's already hinting at a "do-over". "Porque no te largas", indeed.
Posted by: Spot   2007-12-03 08:00  

#5  Yeah - we haven't seen the end of his ambitions by a long shot.
Posted by: lotp   2007-12-03 07:48  

#4  I wouldn't bet on it. Next up is plan 'B' - declare a state of emergency because of the threat from the Americans.
Posted by: WTF   2007-12-03 07:46  

#3  ...his term as president will end in 2013

They taking bets in Vegas?
Posted by: Procopius2k   2007-12-03 07:21  

#2  [AngryLeft]

Damn that KKKarl Rove and those Diebold voting machines!

[/AngryLeft]
Posted by: Mike   2007-12-03 06:31  

#1  After the "Porque no te callas?" (Why don't you shut up?) from King of Spain, now it is 'Poque no te largas?" ("Why don't you fuck off?")

Posted by: JFM   2007-12-03 05:19  

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