1) the opposition in Venezuela is traumatized by the fact those guys and those of the EU accepted the results That is understandable although
we definitely lost in 2006, even if there was rigging.
2) the opposition does not want to accept anyone anymore

and yet:
3) the EU has changed its view of Hugo beginning the Rctv issue
(and in spite of pictures of Sarkozy and Rodríguez with Hugo), but also after that devastating article about “the truth of EU observers”
4) chavismo keeps inviting minor politicos from abroad to “certify” its elections, but now it is people like ultra communist Sarah Wagenknecht, who is an Eurodeputy, although one representing a tiny minority
They sell that to the world as “EU observers have certified the 2007-2008-2009 elections/referenda.

The opposition should do a better work abroad.
As I have said previously, we need to
a) forget Globovision and its very unprofessional way of working and do what we can on our own
b) use Hugo’s words against him: we have used videos of Hugo specially talking to Venezuelans to show to the EU community (particularly journalists and eurodeputies in Brussels) what kind of crap we are getting (threats during El FIrmazo, election threats, insults). That is very very impressive.
c) we should now insist on the EU going to Venezuela for 2010, but shove them that article under their nose and list very well all things that chavismo will try to do to cheat.

We must prove how unreliable the digital systems are (the Dutch have shown the way, the Germans are doing likewise and that for many less problems than what we have had with the paper trail)
We should explain to the world exactly how the media in Venezuela works. They don’t understand it because 1) the US does not have state TV and 2) Europe stupidly assumes state media works the same everywhere and people in Venezuela all have cable or satellite or read.

We should explain we have no access to VTV etc and Globo reaches a tiny minority and most Venezuelans in general hate reading and can’t buy El Nacional anyway

Last but not least we need to remember it is Venezuelans in Venezuela who have to do the biggest work by far. That work starts by

a – going to the areas we don’t reach yet. Going to Sambil and Altamira is wasted time.
b – denouncing the massive corruption going on
c – presenting a plan for sustainable development

In other countries proven corruption affairs would suffice to topple whole governments but Venezuela is the most corrupt country in the Americas and one of the most corrupt ON EARTH. Thus: we need to work on c) a lot. That would be a novum in Venezuela. Venezuelans are ignorant, but not stupid. Let’s do the right thing, let’s show we have a plan and a will and we include all Venezuelans. Let’s make people dream about a better Venezuela.

Let’s be clear about something: people everywhere are very irrational. They go by moods, they need to be “prepared”. Oecd observers were setting different standards to elections in Belarus than in Venezuela, for instance. They had Belarus next-doors and they knew how Belarussians were cheating. They did not know Venezuelans’ mentality.
They were assuming Venezuelans would not have the methods they have of cheating.
Now they are viewing Venezuela more as a Belarus-like country (albeit with oil, that is a problem for us, but we have to live with it). Anyway, we need to inform the international opinion better about what is happening in Venezuela.

I also think we should refrain from insulting anyone abroad or in the country, for that matter. Let’s just stick to the facts.
We need to be more kosher than the rabbi or catholic than the Pope and this does not have to do with altruism or trying to be a saint.

Eppur si muove.

I do think it is good that Carter is speakng out against Chávez.

Are you sure about that? I dont think so.

After saying our 2004 referendum was fine, he wrote and Editorial against voting machines.

And I think his comment about the US knowing or not knowing about the 2002 coup is stupid and out of touch.

Hope Carter and his Center dont even get interviewed, that interview is a waste of paper and time. He should be ashamed of even speaking about Venezuela, he says many other things that have no basis. I just wasn’t about to waste my time with his superficiality.

I respect the fact that Carter is publicly acknowledging that he made (at least) a judgment mistake with respect to Chávez. And this is important for us because even if we have a very critical point of view on how they monitored the R04, Carter and the Carter Center are highly respected around the world.

I think this is good news.