Study: The opposition and Chavez's radicalism

Authors:
José Alberto López Rafaschieri and Luis Alberto López Rafaschieri
www.morochos.net

Since last February 15 the world has seen how Chavez's government has radicalized his political project and abuses against opponents. So we seemed appropriate to ask people from the opposition about this new wave of government extremism and what they want to do about it. Below is a summary of some focus groups we did from May 12 to 16 with typical representatives of the opposition's supporters, from popular-class, with an age range between 21 and 45 years.

The focus group participants:

1) Are very affected by everything that's happening, they see Chavez as a dictator because of his authoritarian style. They believe that the government tries to strike fear into opponents.

• "Venezuelans are tired of government abuses"

• "Lieutenant Colonel does nothing more than threaten"

• "The regime is trying to scare people"

2) Believe that apart from going to elections, it is also important to protest actively. And some no longer consider voting a solution.

• "We must not only engage in elections, but also have to protest"

• “While there are protests there will be hopes”

• "I do not believe in an electoral exit ... that is ruled out"

3) Want to be involved in collective protest activities against the authoritarian government's actions. They mentioned things like seizing the streets, parades, student protests, nonviolent resistance, civil disobedience, to beat on pots and pans, to honk horns, to turn off lights, etc.

• “The only thing feared by the government is the people on the street”

• "The solution is to take the streets"

• "What you want, but not locked in our houses"

Related articles:

- Chavez's political agenda after February 15, 2009

- Venezuela after February 2009: Extremism - rising tensions

- How acts of oppression lead to political self-destruction