In its march toward "socialism of the twenty-first century", the controversial Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez intends to take a radical step, Sunday, in the referendum which is expected to endorse his reform of the Constitution-Constitution that he had prepared himself, 1999, shortly after coming to power. He said the "sole purpose" of this reform is to give more power to the people "and those who oppose it are" small groups of Fascists led by the enemies of the motherland. " Friday, the president had convened his supporters in the streets of Caracas to defend his project. The day before, tens of thousands of people were down in those same streets to denounce the excesses autocratic contained in the reform.

In fact, the mobilization of "for" and "against" has been going on for weeks. New fact: it is the students who are leading the frond. Firstly, because the political opposition is not able to get out of his apathy. Then because Chavez wants an end to the autonomy of universities.

For the first time since coming to power, the president, yet elected a year ago with 63% of the votes, could lose this election, which looks very tight. Even some of its traditional allies have dropped. As General Raul Baduel, former Minister of Defense, and has a certain prestige in the army. He denounced the "coup" that presidential represents, in his view, the reform of the Constitution.