Kenneth T. Tellis: Venezuela's Hugo Chavez is caught between a rock and a hard place...

VHeadline commentarist Kenneth T. Tellis writes: If such an attempt to extend terms of the Presidency is illegal then one can understand the reasons ... but beyond that their no point that can be held as valid.

• Many countries including Canada, where the prime minister is elected, there are no time limitations to holding that office.

While we may question Hugo Chavez' reasons for having another referendum so soon after the last one of December 2, 2007, there is no reason to suspect that he breaking any of Venezuela's laws and voiding the Constitution.

There are two sides the present issue. While it may seem easy to fault Hugo Chavez on having another referendum so quickly, we should evaluate the reasons why the opposition is so upset with this move. Let's first look at the make-up of the opposition before we pass judgment on Hugo Chavez.

Is the opposition truly Venezuelan in character, or is a front for a foreign power that wants the control of Venezuela?

• If the answer is yes! We can well see there are reasons for Chavez' attempt to hold another referendum to extend his presidency.

It is not democracy that has come in conflict here, but the means of how it can be sabotaged by outside powers, with excuse that what is now being done is not democratic.

Thus Hugo Chavez is caught between a rock and a hard place.

Remember always that the final decision lies with the Venezuelan electorate and not the opposition parties that oppose such a referendum by Chavez. Thus it now must be left in the hands of the people of Venezuela and only they can make a decision as whether or not Chavez can extend his term as President of Venezuela.

The opposition must not mix up freedom with license to oppose Chavez for the sake of extending his term ... but whether it serves Venezuela and not an outside power.

Kenneth T. Tellis
kenttellis@rogers.com