Tensions rising
10/02/2004

The Electoral Board was legally supposed to have given the verdict on the signature recollection drive late in January. Somehow it managed to hold for a February 13 promise. Now it seems that the dilatory tactics of chavistas within the Electoral Board might push this even further. The opposition is going restless as changes in the rules agreed upon last year might be in the works. Tonight it seems that we will have an opposition march on Saturday with the leaders of the political parties in front! A welcome, and well overdue change! But also a dangerous move as Lina Ron and chavismo have set shop in front of the doors of the Electoral Board and are ready to pass to the offensive should this one call for a referendum on Chavez rule. Having a few leaders of the opposition marching in front might be irresistible for some of the wildest pro-Chavez thugs. After all, this one is only looking for an excuse to call for a state of siege, even though the opposition is basically unarmed and disarmed.

I did get at least four calls/messages today as to a possible "auto-golpe" (self-coup) and other conspiracies. Even the radio is discussing all sorts of conspiracies from each side. If in San Felipe these words reach me, I cannot imagine what the mood is becoming in Caracas. I think people need to calm down some. Nobody really will gain any durable advantage from a coup, not even Chavez.

Discussing gossip tonight is really pointless. Let’s hope that tomorrow I will have interesting material.