Latinnews Daily - 15 December 2003

Tension is beginning to rise in Venezuela as the referendum process moves towards a moment of truth. This week, the Consejo Nacional Electoral (CNE) should receive the completed petition papers from both the government's supporters and the opposition. The CNE will then have 30 days to verify and count the signatures and rule whether there should be recall referendums on President Hugo Chavez and 33 of his supporters in congress and, separately, on 37 opposition deputies.