Recall Referendum Will Occur in Venezuela

Contrary to what I posted earlier today, Venezuelanalysis is reporting that the opposition did get enough signatures validated to force a recall referendum on President Hugo Chavez later this summer. According to the article, Chavistas are divided as to whether to further challenge this result. Some suspect foul play in the petitioning and repair process, while others believe that Chavez will easily win in the referendum and thereby relegitimize his government. (Of course, those two opinions need not be mutually exclusive.) For Chavez actually to be recalled, the opposition will have to muster at least 3.75 million votes, 1.35 million more than the 2.4 million signatures gathered. They also will need to surpass the number of votes of those who want Chavez to stay.