Page 12 - aruba-today-20171014

A12 WORLD NEWS
Saturday 14 OctOber 2017

Venezuela opposition hopes for victory in regional elections

protests that did not loosen changed” by an opposi-
Maduro’s control. tion victory, political ana-
Yraide Albano, a 51-year- lyst Edgard Gutierrez said.
old lawyer who suffered a In the Maduro camp, can-
large bruise on her back didates like Hector Rodri-
from a tear gas grenade guez, Ocariz’s young and
during the turmoil in the charismatic rival, have
capital, Caracas, said she been waging their own
has felt disappointment get-out-the vote efforts
and depression but still in- and trying to appeal to a
tends to vote and is trying broader audience. Many
to persuade her son to do have ditched the polariz-
the same. ing red shirts long associat-
“He says, ‘Mom, what have ed with the socialist party,
we won?’” Albano said. and some have avoided
“I tell him: A lot has been lavishing praise on Maduro.
won. ... We have to contin- “Let there be no one who
ue voting, because it’s the does not cast a ballot,”
only thing we have.” Rodriguez, 35, dressed in a
Analysts also say that if the blue shirt and jeans, said at
opposition does gain a ma- a recent campaign rally.
jority of governorships, up The race in Miranda, a
from the three it holds cur- state of 2.7 million that sur-
In this Oct. 7, 2017 photo, opposition candidate Carlos Ocariz, who is running for governor of rently, a new, all-powerful rounds the capital, will be
Miranda state, speaks with a woman as he campaigns in Guarenas, on the outskirts of Caracas, constitutional assembly watched closely as a bell-
Venezuela. Polls project opposition candidates like Ocariz are likely to win a majority of the 23 that took power in August wether of both how suc-
governorships up for grabs Sunday, Oct. 15 in a vote that could usher in a major political shift for has the authority to bar the cessful the opposition is at
the country. new governors from assum- mobilizing voters and what
(AP Photo/Fernando Llano) ing office or exerting any degree of support the gov-
By FABIOLA SANCHEZ “Can I count on your sup- food, medicine and other real influence — if it choos- ernment maintains.
Associated Press port?” he asked. goods, opposition candi- es. The state is currently led
GUARENAS, Venezuela Polls project opposition dates have had their work Such a move would not be by Gov. Henrique Capriles,
(AP) — Carlos Ocariz was candidates like Ocariz are cut out for them. And Mad- entirely unprecedented. one of the nation’s most
pressing the flesh at a bus likely to win a majority of uro’s allies are hoping for After the opposition won a recognizable opposition
stop, trying to persuade the 23 governorships up for a strong showing to prove majority in congress in 2015, figures, who narrowly lost
potential voters to choose grabs Sunday. If opponents they remain competitive. the government-stacked to Maduro in the 2013 pres-
him as their next governor, of President Nicolas Madu- Potentially confusing Supreme Court repeatedly idential race.
when a shouted insult from ro win a decisive victory, it changes made by the gov- nullified legislation passed In April authorities barred
a young man in a passing would be the first time since ernment-friendly National by the body. More recently Capriles from seeking of-
car pierced the air: “Sell- 2000 that the late President Electoral Council could the constitutional assembly fice for 15 years, alleg-
out!” Hugo Chavez’s ruling so- lead some to cast a vote has declared itself superior ing irregularities including
After a startled pause, Oc- cialist party faces a nation for a candidate no lon- to congress and taken over suspicious donations from
ariz continued chatting up led primarily by opposition ger in the running or show its powers, and Maduro has abroad. But that hasn’t
passengers preparing to governors. up at a voting center that threatened to replace any kept him from stumping
board one of the govern- Yet Ocariz’s experience was relocated at the last new governors who don’t for the man he hopes will
ment’s new red buses in shows that even amid minute. And disenchanted submit to the assembly’s be his successor. “They
Miranda, on his mission to widespread dissatisfaction voters may fail to turn out rule. haven’t been on top of
keep Venezuela’s second with Maduro as the coun- in large numbers, turned off That could lead to a situ- security, education, roads,
most populous state under try struggles with crippling from politics after months ation in which “the bal- transportation,” he said.
opposition control. inflation and shortages of of deadly anti-government ance of power won’t be “Miranda should change.
It should leave behind
Freighter sinks off Philippine coast; 10 crew missing the time of confrontation
and hate.” Notably miss-
ing from the campaigning
TOKYO (AP) — A Hong received Friday from the were aboard. The coast ship is believed to have has been Maduro, whose
Kong-registered freighter 33,205-ton Emerald Star guard said three passing sunk. Two patrol aircraft dis- approval ratings hover
sank Friday in rough seas off from a location about 150 freighters rescued 16 of the patched by the coast guard around 20 percent and
the Philippine coast, leaving nautical miles (280 kilome- crewmembers from the sea, are searching from the sky, who left the country to visit
10 crewmembers missing, ters) off the Philippines’ and a fourth freighter later while three patrol boats are allies like Russia and Belar-
Japan’s coast guard said. eastern coast. It said 26 also joined the search in the on their way, slowed down us during the run-up to the
It said a distress call was crewmembers, all Indians, area where the Hong Kong by a storm in the area.q election. q