CARACAS, Venezuela – PRESIDENT Hugo Chavez revealed on Wednesday (Feb. 11) that government intelligence had uncovered a plan to infiltrate the country’s presidential palace.
According to Caribbean Net News, the Venezuelan leader reassured the public that the situation was under control and that persons should be at peace.
“We have arrested and detained some soldiers who were in contact with a soldier in the US who was sending messages about a so-called Operation Independence,” he said.
He however declared that any plot to overthrow him would fail.
“The Venezuelan bourgeoisie will regret it. The conspirators against the government will regret their campaign of aggression and violence,” Chavez stressed.
Meanwhile, Venezuelans will vote this weekend on a constitutional amendment that would allow politicians to run for election indefinitely.
Chavez narrowly lost the vote on a similar referendum in 2007 and news reports from the country indicate that this vote would be close as well.
A poll conducted in January showed that 51 percent of persons supported the amendment in comparison to 48 percent who opposed it.
Should Chavez lose, he would have to leave office in 2013.
Meanwhile, his use of state resources to push support for the amendment has angered the country’s opposition leaders, who argue that without the constitutional check that forces him from power in four years, it is increasingly likely that he would never leave.
Public employees have packed his rallies and ministry websites are laced with pro-amendment advertisements. State television and radio have constantly broadcast pro-Chavez messages.
“We aren’t competing against a political party. We’re competing against an entire state and all the power it can wield,” said Opposition Leader Leopoldo Lopez.
Venezuela News