…except Hugo Chavez’s MVR party, exiting because the electoral setup is utterly tainted. It lacks transparency, it lacks secrecy and it lacks integrity. By doing this, the opposition is saying: No more participating in fraud. It’s amazing that whole political machines can operate in unity like this. It is the first time I’ve ever seen the Venezuelan political opposition ever agree on anything. Now they have, and now they finally have power.

The move comes five days before the scheduled Dec. 4 election day for congressional seats.

The only remaining opposition party now is called Nuevo Tiempo, and it’s running only in the rebel state of Zulia where all the angry oil workers live – they were going to win anyway. UPDATE: Another opposition party, known as Primero Justicia, is said to be meeting about this matter but all but has signed on the dotted line about withdrawal. Miguel will have the first update on that.

Hugo Chavez has succeeded in trashing democracy, and finally all the opposition parties recognize it. See the ‘fiasco’ post below for more details on the extent of the shipwreck.

What if they gave an election and nobody came?

Happening right now in Hugo Chavez’s Venezuela. Stay tuned for more.

UPDATE: Miguel has the first report here.

UPDATE: Academic Elephant has a very elegant roundup covering all the bases here. Don’t miss his kicker at the end on Jimmy Carter, it’s a blast!

UPDATE: CNN has a news account here.