Neocon Washington Post for Regime Change in Venezuela by Stephen Lendman
Venezuelas oil-dependent economy suffers greatly from low prices and US economic war - waged to destabilize the country, create enormous hardships, mobilize majority opposition to President Nicholas Maduros leadership, and end nearly 18 years of Bolivarian fairness.
Neocons in Washington want control over Venezuelas vast oil reserves, the worlds largest. With full US support and encouragement, fascists controlling the National Assembly want Maduro ousted - its latest tactic by recall referendum as constitutionally permitted.
On October 18, Venezuelas Supreme Court ruled valid signatures of 20% of voters in each of the nations 24 states must be collected to proceed with a process against Maduro.
(F)ailure
will render the call for the presidential recall referendum as nullified, the High Court said in its ruling.
On October 21, Venezuelas National Electoral Council (CNE) suspended the referendum until further notice, following Supreme Court allegations of fraud. Over 30% of signatures collected had irregularities - including listing over 10,000 deceased persons.
A previous article explained how Venezuelas recall referendum works. Article 72 of Venezuela's Constitution states (a)ll magistrates and other offices (including the president) filled by popular vote are subject to revocation.
Once half (their) term of office...has elapsed, 20% of (registered) voters (by petition may call for) a referendum to revoke such officials mandate.
When a number of voters equal to or greater than the number of those who elected the official vote in favor of revocation (provided the total is 20% or more of registered voters), the officials mandate shall be deemed revoked
Signatures collected must be verified for authenticity before proceeding further with the recall process. If achieved, itll be organized within 90 days. Removing Maduro requires support from more than the 50.6% of voters supporting his 2013 election.
Timing is important. If held by January 10, 2017, a new election will be called if Maduro loses. If things go against him after this date, Vice President Aristobulo Isturiz will serve as president until January 2019, when his term expires.
In response to CNEs suspending the recall process, fascists controlling the National Assembly barely stopped short of urging coup detat action to remove Maduro forcefully.
Last Sunday, they said theyll impeach him for violating democracy. The body has no legal standing after ignoring the Supreme Courts October 18 ruling.
United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) leader Hector Rodriguez mocked them, saying parties violating the rules of the game come and talk about democracy
There will be no recall referendum in 2016 because of fraudulent signatures collected.
Violent demonstrations may follow, similar to what occurred in 2014 - perhaps another US coup attempt.
On October 24, WaPo editors disgracefully headlined How to derail Venezuelas new dictatorship. What followed was a disgraceful litany of misinformation, exaggeration and Big Lies.
WaPo: Maduro made clear (he and his government are) prepared to shred what remained of the countrys constitutional order
(They) stripped the opposition-controlled national assembly of its powers, imprisoned several top leaders and tried to slow the recall process.
Fact: Maduro and Venezuelas CNE observe the letter of constitutional law. No opposition powers were stripped. Their imprisoned officials plotted to remove Maduro by coup detat.
Collecting fraudulent signatures slow(ed) the recall process, not administration officials.
WaPo: Opposition National Assembly members issued a declaration saying Mr. Maduro had staged a coup. That is accurate - and it ought to provoke a consequential reaction from the United States and Venezuelas Latin American neighbors.
Fact: No Maduro coup occurred, nor is one in prospect. WaPo calling for consequential action sounds ominously like urging Washington to oust him forcefully.
WaPo: The recall referendum the opposition was pursuing offered a democratic way out of what has become one of the worst political and humanitarian crises in Latin Americas modern history.
Fact: US imperial ruthlessness bears much responsibility for hard times in Venezuela. Real problems exist. Hunger isnt one of them. WaPo lied claiming (t)he vast majority of low-income families say they are having trouble obtaining food.
Venezuelans changed their dietary practices because of the scarcity of commonly eaten foods, at times consuming less than earlier. Profiteers hoarding and diverting foodstuffs for resale are responsible, along with high inflation from US economic war.
WaPo: (T)he United States should be coordinating tough international action.
Fact: Neocon WaPo editors want Maduro toppled and replaced. Do they mean by coup detat by calling for tough international action?
Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.
His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III."
http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html
Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.
Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network.