People argue about whether the opposition should or not participate in the regional elections. I am extremely weary about them. The reason is simple, if the process to gather the petition to recall Hugo Chavez was so open, so controlled, so visible and observed by international organizations and despite this we are in the absurd situation we are in today, what can I expect of a closed process, with machines controlled by the CNE and appeals in the hands of the CNE and the Supreme Court?
The answer is: not very much! In fact, it may become a trap to justify that Chavez is popular, we did not have the signatures and the opposition is a minority.
In fact, I will begin counting the dirty tricks involving the regional elections, which have begun in earnest. Here are the first two:
Trick #1: There will be no election for Governor of Amazonas state.
The pro-Chavez Governor of Amazonas state is asking the CNE to postpone the election for his position. The reason? He initially lost the election and then the Supreme Court voided some of the votes of his opponent. There were new elections and he won. He wants the period to begin from the time that he took over. He is reportedly behind in the polls and has done a terrible job.
Trick #2: Arias Cardenas will run for Governor of Zulia State
Former Chavez co-conspirator in the 1992 coup and Presidential candidate against Chávez in 2001 Francisco Arias Cardenas will run for Governor of Zulia State. The opposition there has a very strong candidate in the current Governor Manuel Rosales and the Chavismo has a very weak one in General Gutierrez. Arias has played a very ambivalent role since April 2002 and has also at times been rumored to be talking to Chavez about becoming Vice-President. Reportedly, the strategy is not to reveal that Chavez is backing him and split the opposition vote in Arias’ favor. Arias’ own party UNION (what an irony!) of which he is President announced today that they will not back his candidacy.
Will keep counting…
The Devil's Excrement 
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