Venezuela's Chavez heads to referendum bolstered by high oil prices

[Vladimir]

CARACAS : Embattled Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez heads to a referendum on his mandate bolstered by high oil prices and worries his political demise could destabilize markets.

Several opinion polls gave an edge to the self-styled champion of the poor, though political analysts were generally reluctant to forecast the outcome of Sunday's referendum in which the opposition seeks to unseat the leftist leader.

<snip>

Should his foes manage to force him from office, they would be certain to privatize PDVSA, which would trigger a strike, said Chavez.

"The only guarantee of stability in oil markets is a victory by Chavez," Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez said on Friday.

Read the whole story here: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world/view/100822/1/.html

My comment: I love it when tinpot dictators play hardball. Makes me go all weak at the knees. ;)

On Edit: </sarcasm>

[rman]

1. "tinpot dictators"? who's the dictator here?

can't be Chavez, since he was democratically elected.

[tkmorris]

2. Tinpot dictators?

Chavez was elected, fair and square. He has been challenged in his rule more than any elected official should ever have to undergo and yet he stands tall, and Monday will be reconfirmed yet again as the man the people prefer to lead them. Who exactly is this tinpot dictator?

[Vladimir]

3. I was being sarcastic n/t

[tkmorris]

4. Yeah

I did a reread of your post and it looked kind of ambiguous. Sorry bout that.

[Vladimir]

5. No bother mate n/t

[Vladimir]

6. One last kick for the evening crowd n/t