CARACAS, Venezuela — President Hugo Chavez said victory in a referendum today that would abolish presidential term limits is key to his transformation of Venezuela into a socialist state, and he shrugged off opposition claims that it would send the country on a dangerous path toward dictatorship.
“Ten years is nothing. I don’t know what they’re complaining about,” he said at a news conference Saturday, referring to his time in office so far.
“Only here in Venezuela, that’s a dictatorship,” he added sarcastically, noting that Franklin Roosevelt was elected U.S. president four times before his death in 1945.
“El Comandante” says the proposed constitutional amendment to lift term limits for all elected officials would give him the time he needs to complete Venezuela’s transition to socialism.
“On Monday I’ll wake up looking beyond 2013, and that will give me more confidence in what we’re doing . . . and greatly diminish political uncertainties,” he said.
Chavez’s current term in office expires that year.
Opponents say a Chavez victory would remove the last remaining check on his power. The Supreme Court and National Elections Council, both appointed by the Chavista- dominated National Assembly, have been packed with Chavez allies, they say, giving the socialist leader almost total control.
If voters reject the proposal, Chavez warns, it will be hard to complete his plan to transform society through what he calls socialism. A defeat also would embolden Venezuela’s opposition ahead of congressional elections next year.
Chavez was defeated in a referendum in December 2007 that would have ended presidential term limits, and he says nothing is stopping him from trying again if he loses this time.
