Venezuela: Awesome march today, we will see what’s next

October 10, 2002

Absolutely awesome march today. Estimates range from one million in the Associated Press, to 1.2 million by a local expert, to 1 milion in Spain’s El Pais.The eigth Km. march was incredible. I began marching a little past 11 AM after arriving at the starting point at 10 AM. I reached the end of the march at 2:15 PM and one hour after when I came back there were people still marching. (I took some pictures which I dont know why I cant post them, but they are in my brother’s weblog). During the march the Head of the Chiefs Staff resigned his position accusing the President of violating the law and corruption. He also suggested Chavez supports guerrilla groups in Colombia. He also asked Chavez to resign.


The success of the march adds to Chavez’ problem, His Government has little credibility and to have over a million people march in a city of over four million is simply a sign of how bad his popularity is. For a man who only a year ago was saying that he would be President until 2021 and that he would bring participative democracy to Venezuela, this is a severe blow. Given the state of the economy and his low popularity, whether he leaves or not is a matter of when, not how. To top it all off, it was revealed today that Chavez asked the Cabinet and Chiefs of Staff to authorize him to implement a state of emergency to stop the march, but they both said no. More high ranking military are reportedly going to split from Chavez in the next few days. The Federation of Workers Union has called for a strike on October 21st. if President Chavez has not resigned by then.

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