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.
Sunday, August 15, 2004
<Marc> The voting was originally supposed to end at 6 pm, and then it was extended
to 8 pm, and now to midnite. we went back out this evening to see what is
happening on the streets and in the polling places. Some polling places
still had relatively long lines. But what was most striking was the
difference btwn Miraflores and Altamira. Energetic pro-Chavista crowds
have gathered at Miraflores chanting "Chavez ya gano" (Chavez already won)
and are parading through the streets shouting, honking horns, and shooting
off fireworks. On the other hand, the traditional opposition gathering
point, Plaza Altamira, is almost completely deserted. Although the few
people there try to put forward a positive face, the dejected attitude is
clear. There is an embargo on reporting final results until midnite, but
at this point the outcome appears clear. We anxiously await the final results.
</Marc> <!--10:17 PM-->
