VENEZUELA: Opposition grows weak in Venezuela 

<a href=www.lapress.org>LatinoAmericaPress.orgAndrés Cañizález.  May 6, 2003

Democratic Coordinating Group loses influence and moderates stance.

Since the unsuccessful coup attempt against President Hugo Chávez of April 22, 2002 (LP, April 22, 2002), the opposition Democratic Coordinating Group (DCG) has tried in various ways to bring about the downfall of the President: proposals to cut short the presidential term; constitutional reform; the creation of a new Constituent Assembly. None of them have worked.

Now, following an April 11 preliminary agreement between the government and the opposition, a referendum is likely to be held on the future of Chávez as President. It was Chávez who incorporated this mechanism in the 1999 Constitution, applicable to any elected public figure (LP, Dec. 27, 1999).