US Bankrolls Venezuela Opposition
Given the absence of an alternative program to that of President Hugo Chavez, preparations for presidential polls are focused on funding primary elections to choose a single opposition candidate.

The National Assembly announced that hearings on funding will start next week for Sumate (Join Us) group to be able to organize the so-called primaries to be held on Aug 13.

A key factor in discussions leading to create a parliamentary commission on the issue is the funding of Sumate by the National Endowment for Democracy with money allocated by the US Congress.

This delivery of US public funds was revealed by US lawyer Eva Golinger, who based her arguments on declassified documents. Leaders of this group recognize the US bankrolling of their organization, which is presented as a non-government organization.

President of the Commission, Deputy Jose Albornoz, said that his Patria para Todos Party (PPT) has evidence that at least Sumate has received 12.5 million dollars from US sources.

Rather than promoting democracy, which is the alleged objective of the US National Endowment for Democracy, Sumate has dedicated itself to opposing to Chavez, who appears as the winner of next Dec 3 elections in all surveys carried out so far.