Oppn plans protest over Chavez inauguration
8 Jan 2013 6:18 AM IST
A top Venezuelan opposition leader called on Sunday for street protests if the government delays the inauguration of ailing President Hugo Chavez, who has suffered complications following his latest round of cancer surgery. Julio Borges, national coordinator of the opposition Justice First party, also promised to file complaints with unspecified international organisations, if the constitutionally-mandated January 10 swearing-in ceremony does not take place.
‘People should get ready to protest and rebel against what will be a failure to uphold the constitution,’ said Borges. ‘We are preparing a real campaign, which will involve going to institutions, countries, embassies and organisations outside of the country to let them know that authorities are trying to twist the constitution due to an internal problem.’
The opposition move came as it emerged as all but certain that illness will keep Chavez from being sworn in to a new six-year term on Thursday. Chavez was re-elected on October 7 despite his debilitating battle with cancer and the strongest opposition challenge yet to his 14-year rule in Venezuela, an OPEC member with the world's largest proven oil reserves. Since then, Chavez has undergone a fourth round of surgery in Cuba and, according to the government, developed a ‘serious pulmonary infection’ that has led to a ‘respiratory insufficiency.’
In the wake of word that Chavez was suffering complications, Vice President Nicolas Maduro called the swearing-in ceremony a ‘formality’ and said the 58-year-old's inauguration can be indefinitely delayed.
‘People should get ready to protest and rebel against what will be a failure to uphold the constitution,’ said Borges. ‘We are preparing a real campaign, which will involve going to institutions, countries, embassies and organisations outside of the country to let them know that authorities are trying to twist the constitution due to an internal problem.’
The opposition move came as it emerged as all but certain that illness will keep Chavez from being sworn in to a new six-year term on Thursday. Chavez was re-elected on October 7 despite his debilitating battle with cancer and the strongest opposition challenge yet to his 14-year rule in Venezuela, an OPEC member with the world's largest proven oil reserves. Since then, Chavez has undergone a fourth round of surgery in Cuba and, according to the government, developed a ‘serious pulmonary infection’ that has led to a ‘respiratory insufficiency.’
In the wake of word that Chavez was suffering complications, Vice President Nicolas Maduro called the swearing-in ceremony a ‘formality’ and said the 58-year-old's inauguration can be indefinitely delayed.
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