It would seem that the people of the US have learnt nothing about their global reputation as meddlers! Mari the world watched in horror as Bush came out triumphant after the debacle in Florida yet there were no threats to remove him as a US government may have done.

Nicola, Hertfordshire,

There seems to be no difference between the leaders people choose and those that fate forces upon them.

Eugene, heidelberg, germany

Irony blossoms, even under revolutionary times in the USA. Obviously, Mary in Lewisburg has not understanding whatsoever of what it is happening in Venezuelan. There has been more elections in Venezuela over the last 10 years than the former 40 years of "Representative Democracy" full of misery.

Moises Cano, San Francisco, USA

I was curious to know the source of this quote "..who faces falling popularity as he enters elections.." There are currently 7 Estates dominated by the opposition in Venezuela: Trujillo, Nueva Esparta, Guárico, Zulia, Sucre and Carabobo. Keep that in mind for the upcoming elections. Thank you.

Moises Cano, San Francisco, USA

I invite you all to re-visit this story and these posts after the results of this Sunday's elections are known. According to the information I've seen, pro-Chavez political forces are expected to win 21 out of 23 elections for governor and about 60% of the country's mayors.

Matt, Houston, USA

He's not a dictator. In fact every leader who says no to the political mafia crooks of the old party of capitalist greed calls men who say no to them dictators. Hear it from the horse's mouth on what the US did to Latin America

Zeitgeist: Addendum 4/13
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pC7d9HTpdS

Jane, Bethlehem, US

Mari, I am guessing Lewisburg is somewhere in the US. Don't forget what your proposing is what much of the world was hoping for during Bush's time in charge.

Laurence , Hemel Hempstead , UK

Yeah, just like they're rejoicing in Iraq!

Hey Mari, I think the Venezuelan electorate voted him in, so it's up to them to get rid of him. Typical of a gringo to put their own self interest over democracy.

Richard, Granada, Nicaragua

people deserve the leaders they choose, its easy to write, when you don't live in venezuela. but, i agree that only we, the vzlans. have to fix our own problem. many poor people were duped by his populist preaching, building an emotional bond hard to dissolve even if when he became an autocrat.

janine vici, caracas, venezuela

As a Venezuelan who doesn't support Chavez, I'd like to ask Mari at Lewisburg: Would you like Venezuelans to decide who runs Lewisburg?

Chavez's popularity is already waning. His political party's incompetence will bring an end to their administration, by popular demand.

Gonzalo, Caracas, Venezuela

People deserve the leaders they choose; even Plato bemoaned this fact. Mari in Lewisburg does not determine who governs in Caracas and Valencia. Venezuelans put him in power and they now must get rid of him. Would a Chinese black op to get rid of Bush and Obama be morally acceptable to you?

Eric, Holmdel, New Jersey, USA

Where is our CIA Black Ops when you need them. This man along with Mugabe over there in Africa would not be missed for long. Their people would rejoice for a stable government anad just normal everyday freedoms.

Mari, Lewisburg,