Vzla: He won't go without a real fight

London 03 June 2004 – The signals coming out from Venezuela are very confusing indeed. Since this morning armed groups have been vandalising private property in downtown Caracas, burning vehicles and shooting randomly to the offices of the Mayor of Caracas. As I listen the live signal of Radio Nacional de Venezuela I am absolutely shocked by the callers-in to Professor Jose Angel Arenas’ programme, who are for the most part inciting listeners to resort to violence and to disrespect any CNE decisions. Furthermore the chiefs of the Commando Ayacucho, for what I could gather, are the subject of much hatred owing to the failure in beating the opposition in the recall drive. Jorge Rodriguez, director of the CNE, just announced that there is a clear indication that the opposition may have gathered the signatures needed to trigger the recall referendum.