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Journalism of Courage
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This is an archive article published on December 3, 2006
Chavez set to win Sunday146;s election
Hugo Chavez, seeking another presidential term in an election on Sunday, is telling Venezuelans this is only the beginning of his effort to remake Venezuela as a socialist oil power.
Hugo Chavez, seeking another presidential term in an election on Sunday, is telling Venezuelans this is only the beginning of his effort to remake Venezuela as a socialist oil power.
Chavez predicts a 8220;hurricane8221; victory that will secure a mandate for zero compromise on policies that inspire both adulation and despair. Having survived a coup, a recall referendum, a general strike and clashes with the Roman Catholic Church, business community and opposition media, he has entrenched his power and sharpened left-right divides beyond Venezuela8217;s borders.
His main challenger, tough-talking state governor Manuel Rosales, trailed far behind in an AP-Ipsos poll last month, but nonetheless has galvanised a fractured opposition movement of millions desperately hoping he can unseat Chavez.
8220;A new era will be born next Sunday,8221; Chavez told a sea of supporters clad in Chavista red at another rally. 8220;There is no room in Venezuela for any other plan besides the Bolivarian Revolution.8221;
Observers from the European Union, the Carter Center and the Organisation of American States will monitor the polls.
8211;NATALIE OBIKO PEARSON
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