Sweep Expected in Venezuela Vote
by Juan Forero
BOGOTÁ, Colombia, Oct. 31 – Allies of the Venezuelan president, Hugo Chávez, were expected to sweep crucial posts in nationwide regional elections on Sunday.
Political analysts, pollsters and some opposition leaders have been predicting for weeks that the opposition would lose as many as 100 mayoral posts, including the one in the capital, Caracas, and as many as five governorships. Pro-Chávez governors already control 15 of 23 states, while opposition or independent mayors run 200 of 337 municipalities. The vote includes state assembly seats.