Venezuela's Parliamentary Election Hints Change

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez gives a speech in Caracas, Venezeula.
Jorge Silva / Reuters

Winds of change are blowing in Venezuela as the Latin American country held a parliamentary election Sept. 26, its first in five years. The results offered a glimpse into the spirits of many Venezuelans, with the Hugo Chavez-led United Socialist Party receiving a party victory of 98 to 67, the lowest it has seen in the 12-year-reign of Chavez. Even more revealing, the popular vote was a near split, leaving Chavez and his cohorts with less than the two-thirds majority they have become so accustomed to.

Without the majority, the United Socialists should find pushing legislation more difficult. In 1999, Chavez led the movement to a new Venezuelan constitution. In 2009, Chavez succeeded in eliminating presidential term limits, despite voters rejecting a similar bill two years earlier. Even more alarming for Chavez supporters, the parliamentary results are concrete signs that Venezuelans might be wary of another term for the charismatic leader.

Chavez, known for his relationship with Fidel Castro and a follower of the teachings of Simon Bolivar, Che Guevara and Karl Marx, is a key leader of the "Bolivarian" socialist movement in South America. A Venezuela without Chavez could mark a political change in much of Latin America.

Chavez became president in 1998, after a failed coup d'etat of President Carlos Perez six years prior. Chavez was arrested and imprisoned but became a hero to the Venezuelan destitute in the process. Once president, he made great strides for the poor, even placing hospitals in the country's barrios and socializing health care.

Despite such implements, Venezuela has seen massive inflation and an alarmingly high murder rate under Chavez.

Native Venezuelan and OU graduate student Juan Uzcategui said these issues are a direct consequence of Chavez. Uzcategui explained, saying the government's tight control on the economy has brought tremendous inflation and Chavez's Robin Hood-style approach to government has caused noticeable class tension that may explain the high crime and murder rate.

Uzcategui said it wasn't always like this. "He [Chavez] had very good plans, very good ideas ... People cried when he spoke. Now everything's politicized. The government owns everything," he said.

But Uzcategui said he is excited for the future.

Maria Camero, left, and Juan Uzcategui

"A change is coming. There is pluralism in the parliament ... Some people say this is the beginning of the end, I say it's the beginning of change," he said. 

Uzcategui is also a member of the University of Oklahoma's Association Friends of Venezuela. Graduate student and president of the organization, Maria Camero, could not comment on her country's political state but said she is very excited to share the culture she loves this semester. Camero said she is looking forward to two upcoming events in particular, including a Latin-infused campus scavenger hunt Oct. 23 and an honoring of "La Chinita," a Venezuelan-specific holiday on Nov. 19.

For more information about Association Friends of Venezuela, contact Camero at marycamero@ou.edu.