This is a Blog of my trip to Venezuela with the Venezuela Information Office from August 13-18, 2004, as an official observer for the referendum on the Hugo Chavez government.
Monday, August 16, 2004
<Marc> We were woken up w/ fireworks and shouts. The CNE announced that the "NO"
vote won. Channel 8 (the government TV channel) is celebrating the victory
of the people. The commercial stations are deep in mourning and pointing
out the "irregularities" in the vote (even tho int'l observers are
emphasizing the fairness and transparency of the vote). One station shows
a split screen with the wild celebrations at Miraflores and the dejected
and half empty hall were the opposition had gathered. What a historic day!
BBC has just reported that Chavez won with 58% of the vote. It is a rather
wide margin of victory.
While I am trying to connect to the modem here in our hotel room, we see
Chavez coming to the window of the Miraflores palace and waving to the
people gathered below.
</Marc> <!--3:34 AM-->
