Venezuela annuls election of anti-Chavez mayor

[cali]

The Associated Press
Wednesday, February 24, 2010; 9:37 PM

CARACAS, Venezuela -- Venezuela's highest court on Wednesday annulled the election of an opposition mayor, replacing him with a supporter of President Hugo Chavez until a new vote is held.

The Supreme Court threw out the 2008 election of Jorge Barboza, mayor of the Sucre municipality in western Zulia state, on grounds that he failed to pay $292 in local taxes.

The justices ruled Barboza was ineligible to continue as mayor because he lacked "the suitability (required) for the management of a mayoral post."

In brief comments on the local Globovision television channel, Barboza called the ruling a coup against a democratically elected official and denied any wrongdoing.

His brother, Omar Barboza, said the arguments behind the ruling "constitute proof that the justice system is being used to politically persecute opponents" of Chavez's socialist government.
ad_icon

Barboza said the owner of a house rented by the mayor apparently failed to pay the $292 in taxes. He called the court's ruling ridiculous, saying his brother should not be held responsible for the home owner's lack of responsibility.

<snip>

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/24/AR2010022405887.html

[ck4829]

1. There goes the 'liberal' media again, dragging socialism into this

Chavez isn't doing this whole idiotic routine for socialism, he's doing it for Chavez. Nothing more.

[cali]

2. I noticed that too.

idiots.

[sufrommich]

3. "proof that the justice system is being used to politically"

I'd say that's pretty obvious.

[cali]

4. well, it's not to a lot of folks here.

[cali]

5. kick

[proteus_lives]

6. What a surprise.

Not.