Reply #55: Gee, Uribe isn't running for reelection--how long are you going to make HIM the boogeyman?

[MADem]

And Chavez WILL be omnipotent come 2 December, if he gets out the vote of the stupid, who will trade their rights for a few extra hours a week off.

Sorry, your scenario is a bit Que Viva Chavezuela-ish.

http://www.euronews.net/index.php?page=info&article=456491&lng=1

As ideological opposites, their partnership was never easy. Now relations between the leaders of Venezuela and Colombia have gone from bad to worse. Venezuela's Hugo Chavez has broken off diplomatic ties with Colombia, saying they won't be restored as long as President Alvaro Uribe remains in power. Chavez is furious over Uribe's decision to fire him as a mediator in talks to free hostages held by Marxist rebels in Colombia.

On Tuesday, Venezuela recalled its ambassador from Bogota. While Chavez prepares for a referendum on allowing him to run for re-election indefinitely, Uribe has denied rumours that he is seeking to stand for his country's presidency again.

"To me it seems that the attempt to perpetuate this is to remove democracy," he said.

His comments have been interpreted as veiled criticism of his Venezuelan counterpart. Uribe ended Chavez's role as a mediator with FARC rebels, saying Chavez had broken with protocol by speaking directly to the head of Colombia's army without Ulribe's permission.