News reading for today...article about potential referendum on President Chávez of Venezuela

Chávez says opposition may have enough signatures

Referendo contra Chávez parece más cerca

El presidente de Venezuela, Hugo Chávez, admitió que la oposición puede haber recogido las firmas necesarias a un referendo para desalojarlo del poder en los próximos meses. La crisis política parece encauzarse hacia una salida pacífica y electoral.

“Nunca dije que el referendo era imposible. A lo mejor recogieron (los opositores) 2,4 millones o ‘un pelito’ más, 2,5 millones de firmas. Sea cual sea el resultado, (el margen) será pequeño, y para la oposición es una victoria pírrica”, dijo un coloquial Chávez tras una práctica deportiva la noche del martes.

Chávez says opposition may have enough signatures

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez admitted that the opposition may have gathered enough signatures to trigger a recall referendum that could remove him from power within the next few months.

The political crisis thus seems to be moving smoothly in the direction of a peaceful, electoral solution, according to analysts.

“I never said the referendum was impossible,’’ the president said. “Perhaps they collected 2.4 million signatures or a tiny bit more, 2.5 million. Whatever the result, the margin will be small, and for the opposition it would be a Pyrrhic victory.’’