CARACAS, Monday December 15, 2008 | Update
President Hugo Chávez, left, talks to Cuban ruler Raúl Castro during a farewell ceremony at Simón Bolívar airport in Maiquetia, Venezuela, on Monday (Photo: AP / Miraflores Press Office)
Politics
Venezuela's President, Hugo Chávez, said on Monday that
his opponents are likely to disregard his victory in a referendum
on the constitutional amendment to implement indefinite
presidential reelection.
In a statement at Simón Bolívar international airport,
where Chávez bid a farewell to his Cuban counterpart
Raúl Castro, the Venezuelan ruler showed confidence that
the referendum will take place. He added that his proposal
to establish indefinite presidential reelection will prevail,
but the "rightwing" parties will not accept the defeat and
are likely to ignite violence.
"We are going to win overwhelmingly, but there will be some
risks. The rightwing coalition parties may disavow the results,"
said Chávez.
05:09 PM. Economy. If any country has cashed in on the Bolivarian revolution, that is Brazil, particularly the private companies of the southern neighbor. Over the past five years, it has been awarded contracts for works to be carried out in Venezuela for over USD 14 billion. This puts it as the first recipient of government-to-government contracts, that is, without bidding, since Hugo Chávez took office.