No 'Coup' in Venezuela
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The Post's Nov. 15 editorial on Venezuela, "Mr. Chavez's Coup," contained a number of distortions.
The proposed constitutional reforms that the editorial discussed are aimed at allowing Venezuela to decentralize political power and establish a framework for a more equitable and democratic state. While one reform would eliminate term limits, any president would still be subject to a recall referendum, an innovative tool already used in 2004. Furthermore, private property will remain, while new forms of public property will gain legal recognition. A number of progressive reforms would bar discrimination based on sexual orientation or health; grant the right to adequate housing and free public education; and create a social security fund for the self-employed.
The reforms have been widely debated. Over a 47-day period, members of Venezuela's legislature participated in 9,000 public events and took 80,000 phone calls on the reforms. More than 10 million copies of the reform proposals were distributed; a recent poll found that 77 percent of Venezuelans had read them. And the reforms will be voted on in a national referendum on Dec. 2.
The claim that students were attacked by "government-sponsored paramilitary groups" is false. Student leaders have been granted meetings with high-level government officials, including the National Electoral Council and Supreme Tribunal of Justice, where they have been given the chance to freely express their grievances.
BERNARDO ALVAREZ
Ambassador
Embassy of Venezuela
Washington
