Venezuelan Polls Open

Today marked the opening day for polls in Venezuela to elect local governors and mayors. Many articles around the world are determining this election to be somewhat of a popularity contest for Chavez and his leftist party. Today is also marks a year after Chavez lost a referendum on extending his authority. According to The News International website, "Famous for his fiery language, Chavez has threatened to imprison opponents, or even send tanks onto the streets if his party loses in the populous northwestern state of Carabobo (on Sunday)." Although no results have come in as of yet with who has won the election, I think today's polls will determine the future of Venezuela and Venezuelan media. Check out some more articles on the elections here: http://www.silobreaker.com/DocumentClusterReader.aspx?Item=16_928225798
(notice you don't see any articles coming from Venezuelan reporters!)

-- Bridget Monaghan