Plurality in Venezuela Candidates

Elections for governors and mayors in Venezuela began a phase in which the broad participation of contenders may neutralize sectors that call for civil disobedience like the 2D movement, seen as preparation for a coup. At the close of admissions there are 507 contenders to 22 governorships and 6,248 for about 300 posts for mayors that should be decided on November 23. Deputy Earle Herrera told Prensa Latina that in spite of not recognizing the government, opponents have been able to see massive registrations, although the opposition should not be underestimated because of its economic power and control over the mass media. For now, he explained, there is a small group of media owners and some who took part in the coup attempt in 2002, who continue a systematic campaign aimed at destabilization through accusations of the National College of Journalists regarding alleged aggressions of the council members. It is not by chance, added Herrera, that the coordinator of 2D is the owner of the paper El Nacional, Miguel Henrique Otero, and that the National College of Journalists is headed by a right wing personality of Globovision and another right wing website. Venezuela president, Hugo Chavez, considers the elections of great importance to counter opposition plans of occupying some key posts to begin actions to remove him from power before 2013 when his mandate ends. Chavez calls to "crush" the opposition in the vote, to further construction of socialism in 2009.