BOGOTÁ, Colombia -- Venezuelans will take to the polling stations over the weekend in nationwide elections that are being seen as a litmus test for the future of President Hugo Chávez and a golden opportunity for the opposition to regain its presence in local government.
The local elections, which include 22 state governorships and over 300 mayoral posts up for grabs, are the first real test of Chávez's popularity following his narrow defeat in a referendum on constitutional reform -- which would have allowed Chávez's indefinite re-election -- last December. ...