Venezuela's New Motto: Power to the People ; the Chaos Often Associated with Hugo Chavez's Presidency Has Obscured a Political Maturation in Venezuela, Where Grass-Roots Activism Is Thriving

Ceaser, Mike, The Christian Science Monitor

The 17 volunteers gathered in a central Caracas apartment have at least one thing in common: most have President Hugo Chavez to thank for getting them involved in politics. Now they're determined to end his political career by having him recalled from office.

In a poor neighborhood across town, Paula Bastida has also turned into an activist - but for the opposite cause. A passionate supporter of Mr. Chavez, Ms. Bastida volunteers for a government- sponsored literacy program in her hillside neighborhood of tin- roofed shacks. She believes Chavez to be the savior of the nation's poor.

Welcome to Venezuela's world of grass-roots activism, a new phenomenon in a …

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Publication information: Article title: Venezuela's New Motto: Power to the People ; the Chaos Often Associated with Hugo Chavez's Presidency Has Obscured a Political Maturation in Venezuela, Where Grass-Roots Activism Is Thriving. Contributors: Ceaser, Mike - Author. Newspaper title: The Christian Science Monitor. Publication date: September 9, 2003. Page number: 7. © 2009 The Christian Science Publishing Society. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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