VENEZUELA: OPPOSITION GROUPS CLOSE RANKS AROUND ZULIA GOVERNOR MANUEL ROSALES AS SOLE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE.
Venezuela's opposition parties have closed ranks behind the governor of the northwestern state of Zulia, Manuel Rosales, as their sole candidate to stand against President Hugo Chavez in December. The rally around Rosales in early August obviated the need for a primary election among opposition parties, with an eye toward projecting unity and competence as they try to defeat the popular socialist president's bid for a third four-year term. Rosales still faces competition from a popular comedian, however, and it is not yet clear what effect that will have on the Dec. 3 election.
Opposition party primary election called off
Political opponents of President Chavez called off their primary election and joined forces Aug. 9 behind the popular state governor as their top choice to challenge the Venezuelan president in December.
A number of candidates had joined the race, including Julio Borges of Primero Justicia (PJ) and former planning minister and newspaper editor Teodoro Petkoff (see NotiSur, 2006-07-21), but they dropped their bids in favor of Rosales. The latest big-name dropout came on Aug. 24, when former infrastructure minister Roberto Smith dropped his candidacy to back Rosales.
The pullout of nine candidates prompted the cancellation of the Aug. 13 primary and cleared the way for Rosales to face Chavez, who was first elected in 1998. "I will be the president of all Venezuelans regardless of their differences," Rosales told a cheering crowd, referring to complaints that Chavez has polarized society, stoking divisions between his poor supporters and wealthier opponents.
Rosales, 54, accused Chavez of overspending on a military buildup and pledged that, if elected on Dec. 3, he would to use Venezuela's oil wealth to help the poor and improve education and health care. "We will exchange warplanes for hospitals, tanks for schools and universities, missiles for preschools," he said.
The opposition has called Chavez's spending on Russian warplanes, massive numbers of combat rifles, and other weapons a waste. Chavez, who constantly clashes with the US, has said Venezuela must be prepared to defend itself against the US and has built close ties with countries like Iran and North Korea.
His opponents also argue that, despite Chavez's heavy spending on social programs for the poor, the efforts are plagued with mismanagement.
Rosales spoke after Borges, a conservative lawyer who leads the PJ party, announced that he and other leading opposition candidates had decided to back Rosales. "For all who love this country, today is the day to put...
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