Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07CARACAS1804
2007-09-11 21:56:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Caracas
Cable title:  

PRO-CHAVEZ PARTY CRITICIZES CHAVEZ' CONSTITUTIONAL

Tags:  PGOV PHUM KDEM VE 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CARACAS 001804 

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DEPARTMENT PASS TO AID/OTI (RPORTER)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/10/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
SUBJECT: PRO-CHAVEZ PARTY CRITICIZES CHAVEZ' CONSTITUTIONAL
PROPOSAL

REF: CARACAS 001703

CARACAS 00001804 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR ROBERT DOWNES,
REASON 1.4 (D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CARACAS 001804

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HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
DEPARTMENT PASS TO AID/OTI (RPORTER)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/10/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM VE
SUBJECT: PRO-CHAVEZ PARTY CRITICIZES CHAVEZ' CONSTITUTIONAL
PROPOSAL

REF: CARACAS 001703

CARACAS 00001804 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR ROBERT DOWNES,
REASON 1.4 (D)


1. (C) Summary. Leaders of the small, but prominent,
pro-government party Podemos outlined their objections to
President Chavez' proposal for constitutional changes at a
September 7 Caracas party event. Podemos Secretary General
Ismael Garcia argued that Chavez' proposals give more power
to the state rather than the people. Garcia also took issue
with the government's handling of the constitutional reform
process, noting the need for more democratic debate "without
fear." Chavez appealed to Podemos followers during his
September 9 "Alo, Presidente" broadcast to leave their party
and join his proposed single pro-government party, the United
Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV). Podemos' criticism
suggests that the December constitutional referendum will be
more than a simple contest between Chavez' followers and the
opposition. End Summary.

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Podemos Takes Aim at Chavez' Proposals
--------------


2. (SBU) The small but prominent pro-Chavez party Podemos
held a well-attended September 7 rally in Caracas to present
the party's concerns about Chavez' proposals to change the
1999 Constitution. Podemos Secretary General and National
Assembly deputy Ismael Garcia said his party agrees with
aspects of Chavez' constitutional changes, but also has
"important differences" with the Venezuelan president's
proposal. Garcia called the coming months "a sacred hour"
for democratic debate among Venezuelans (which should take
place) "without any type of fear."


3. (SBU) On substance, Garcia said Podemos concurs with
Chavez' idea of giving more power to the people through a
"new geometry of power." However, Garcia argued at length
that Chavez' proposal gives more power to the state at the
expense of the Venezuelan people and provides the Venezuelan
president exclusive authorities that should be shared more
broadly with local officials and the electorate. Garcia also
expressed concern that the constitutional changes would

eliminate existing mechanisms for local governments to
receive and raise funds in order to "resolve problems
together with communities."


4. (SBU) On process, Garcia said Podemos believes Chavez'
proposals should be voted on separately, and not as a single
package as Chavez is insisting. He appealed to the Supreme
Court to reaffirm the right of five percent of the electorate
to petition for the constitutional changes to be put up to
separate votes, per Article 344 of the existing constitution.
The BRV and the National Electoral Council (CNE) are
interpreting Article 344 to mean that only the initiator of
the constitutional changes, President Chavez, has the right
to ask for article-by-article voting of the proposals.


5. (SBU) Garcia also argued that Chavez' proposals to allow
the creation of twelve new local government entities
represents a fundamental change to the constitution.
Podemos, like a number of opposition parties, believes such
changes would require convoking a constitutional convention
and cannot be made through the reform process that Chavez is
pursuing through the National Assembly. The Podemos Governor
of Sucre, Ramon Martinez, was even more outspoken in his
September 7 remarks to the media. He said the current debate
is between "revolutionary social democracy and autocracy" and
said he opposed the "fingerocracy ("dedocracia") of President
Chavez."

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Chavez Takes Aim at Podemos
--------------


6. (SBU) President Chavez responded indirectly, but harshly,
to Podemos during his September 9 "Alo, Presidente"
television broadcast. Chavez said he told the leaders of
parties that supported the revolution but have now "tired"
that "one cannot be with God and the devil." Chavez appealed
to the bases of the pro-Chavez parties that have not joined
his United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) to "let the
dead bury the dead (sic)" and instead join "the future" by
giving "form and life" to the PSUV. Podemos, Patria Para
Todos, and the Communist Party continue to refuse to merge

CARACAS 00001804 002.2 OF 002


unconditionally with the PSUV.

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Comment
--------------


7. (C) Although Podemos is a relatively small party, its
criticisms of Chavez' proposed changes to the constitution
are significant. Chavez is trying to personalize the
December referendum as an up or down vote on his rule and as
a contest between "revolutionaries" and traditional
opposition "oligarchs." Podemos leaders had been stalwart
government defenders and consider themselves Chavez allies,
so Chavez and other BRV leaders cannot merely dismiss their
concerns as the "conspiracies of counter-revolutionaries."


8. (C) Podemos was already virtually being treated like an
opposition party by the BRV for vocally opposing the PSUV
formation process (Reftel). By taking on Chavez'
constitutional reforms so publicly, Podemos is likely to be
further isolated within the governing coalition.
Nevertheless, the party continues to insist that it does not
intend to cooperate with traditional opposition parties and
is trying to stake out some middle ground in Venezuela's
highly polarized political environment.

DUDDY