subject: A Victory for Democracy, but Don't Hold Your Breath [print this page] Democracy took home a win yesterday when Venezuelans turned out to vote in parliamentary elections, eventually giving the majority to the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), which belongs to President Hugo Chavez.
The reason for why democracy won out was not because Hugo Chavez's party won the day, but rather because his opponents, in the Table for Democratic Unity (MUD) party, were able to steal away Chavez's two-thirds majority in parliament, meaning that Hugo Chavez will, from now on, be unable to make significant legislative changes without winning some support from his opponents.
For the time being, at least, the would-be tyrant who has been in power since the late 1990s and who threatens to de-stabilize the entire region with his antics will finally have his hands tied (well, somewhat tied).
Of course, he is a would-be tyrant in a region known for anomalies.
In one corner of South America, there are Chile and Peru, two rivals, both of which have managed to rise out a cycle of poverty and corruption that once had crippled both nations, and then there is Brazil, a nation today on the verge of becoming a genuine global super-power.
But no matter how far those three nations have progressed, there is an Argentina, today wallowing in the bitter after-taste of economic collapse and clinging to whatever vestiges of former glory may still remain there, and Venezuela, a nation long-since trapped by the populist words of a leader whose reason went out the window many calendars ago.
Thus, despite democracy's win yesterday, the wise observer of Venezuelan politics would be hesitant to declare any significant victory.
Much like Alberto Fujimori, former dictator of Peru (1990-2000), President Chavez is known to use money to finance what he can't win with ballots.
Electoraland democracy observers throughout the world should now be keeping an eye on Venezuela.
President Chavez is not used to losing -- just ask any media agency that has ever triedstanding up to his autocracy.
Thethought of the Venezuelan leader using threatsof violence and cashto bribe opposition politiciansinto voting for his amendments is not a far-fetched one.
Let's hope, for Venezuela's sake, that the opposition does not cave under his pressure, but no one should really be waiting for a miracle.
Instead, with luck, the United States will continue to work with Colombia and Peru, today's stewards of common sense in South America, and combat the spread of Chavez-style autocracy in the rest of Latin America.
For now, it's already too late for Bolivia, Ecuador, and Nicaragua, and for Argentina in many ways.
Let's make sure that list doesn't continue growing.
By: Jorge VargasRead more about politics at www.allmediany.com A Victory for Democracy, but Don't Hold Your BreathBy: Rose
