as Chavez has accelerated his drive to install a Cuban-style socialist regime - the opposition has finally found a winning answer: democracy. Last December voters rejected a new constitution that would have greatly increased presidential powers. On Sunday Venezuelans turned out in record numbers for local elections - and chose opposition candidates for five of the six most important elected posts in the country. ...more

November 27, 2008

My recent Venezuela column in The Tampa Tribune prompted a prominent response from a local Venezuelan activist who took exception to some points I made. Fair enough. On this subject, I'm not an expert on anything but my own first-hand impressions based on what I saw -- from health clinics to brazen street crime -- and to whom I spoke -- from Chavez acolytes to scornful opposition. ...more

May 22, 2008