Reuters: World News: Chavez ally raises specter of opposition violence

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Chavez ally raises specter of opposition violence Apr 27th 2012, 18:47 By Mario Naranjo LOS TEQUES, Venezuela | Fri Apr 27, 2012 2:47pm EDT LOS TEQUES, Venezuela (Reuters) - President Hugo Chavez's big poll lead puts him in a strong position ahead of Venezuela's presidential election, but it could also convince radical opponents violence is the only way to beat him, a senior campaign strategist said. Despite ongoing cancer treatment, Chavez is favored to extend his 13-year rule at the October 7 vote, with most opinion polls giving him an advantage of at least 10 percentage points over opposition candidate Henrique Capriles. Speculation is rife that Chavez's coalition could fragment if his illness worsens, but his team insists it is not looking at a back-up plan. Government officials are repeatedly telling Venezuelans to beware of subterfuge by foes, though no concrete evidence has been given for this. Aristobulo Isturiz, vice-president of parliament who also runs Chavez's campaign in the second most populous state, said in an interview late on Thursday the government was encouraged by surveys showing the president's support rising steadily in recent months. "(But) as that lead widens, the sectors in the opposition that favor conspiracy and destabilization will strengthen," said Isturiz, a former Caracas mayor who served a long stint as Chavez's education minister. "We have to prepare ourselves because there are violent and non-democratic groups in the opposition." While showing widely different numbers, most polls give Chavez a big lead over Capriles. The most recent, by Hinterlaces, showed Chavez edging further ahead with 53 percent support and Capriles at 34 percent. That, analysts say, is in part due to a sympathy bounce over his cancer that could fade if he is seen to be physically weaker, and in part to Chavez's ongoing popularity among the poor boosted by heavy welfare spending. Government warnings of opposition conspiracies have been commonplace since a 2002 coup and a two-month oil strike that began the same year. Both were failed bids to force Chavez from office that weakened the opposition's democratic credentials. "If they know the trend is irreversible then they may try to turn things around (and they know) only a catastrophic event or a series of catastrophic events can do that," Isturiz said. SCARE TACTICS? Critics insist Chavez allies are using scare tactics to lay the groundwork for a refusal to hand over power if they lose. Pointing out that Chavez himself rose to fame on the back of a failed military coup in 1992, they say his supporters, not the opposition, could turn violent if the race tightens. Most trouble on the campaign trail so far seems to have been directed against his foes, including shots fired at opposition supporters during several flare-ups in shantytowns that are Chavez strongholds. Opposition leaders say the government is concocting conspiracy theories and making unfounded accusations to distract public attention from embarrassing statements by a former supreme court judge who this month charged that state officials systematically meddle in the justice system. "We're trying to fix Venezuelans' problems, but they are simply talking and talking as always, making false accusations, trying to confuse people," Capriles' campaign head Armando Briquet told Reuters in response to Isturiz's comments. "People don't believe them anymore. They've been doing the same for 13 years." A colorful character known for his populist style and lively language, Isturiz disputed media reports that the ruling party is preparing alternative scenarios in case Chavez, who has been receiving cancer treatment in Cuba, is unable to run. "We do not see any electoral scenario without Chavez." With Chavez's cancer and political accusations dominating headlines, Capriles is struggling to grab public attention with grassroots campaigning in the provinces. On Thursday, he unveiled a plan to create 3 million jobs in six years - by activating industry and diversifying the economy - in response to Venezuelans' deep anxiety over unemployment. While surveys show Capriles trailing, they also show he would beat any of the president's top allies should Chavez drop out and be replaced by one of them. (Writing by Brian Ellsworth and Andrew Cawthorne) Link this Share this Digg this Email Reprints

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