Defeat heaps misery on the opposition as President Chavez's party conquers 17 out of 23 states in regional elections. Indeed, the leaders of the opposition are in despair today in Venezuela as the will of the people was once more  manifested in full though the election urns when it chose to support the candidates representing the Party in Government. I praised the manner in which the elections were conducted as they have shown that venezuela and its people are in full control of their democratic rights and all the rest. Scepticism has sown sour grapes in the minds of the civilised world as President Chavez has been accused of having ideas beyond his station but the reality is that this man has been the Messiah of the have not in this part of the world and if one ever needed proof of his popularity the good people of Venezuela have spoken on his behalf through the voices of democracy by given him the support he needs to carry on with his social reforms. Indeed, he has gone from zero to hero for he is in step with the reality of his people and he is banking on their support to better things in the time to come. The man is so inspiring that he could make croquet sounds interesting as he is spurred on by a vision of progress and the betterment of his people. 

P.Figueras