Leopoldo Lopez was the mayor of the Chacao Municipality of Caracas from 2000 until 2008. Recently 10,000 plus people filled a stadium in Venezuela chanting "change is possible." They were gathered to see Leopoldo Lopez, the man who may be Chavez's biggest threat to power. Lopez is barred from running against Chavez, but he is determined to recruit those who can.

Lopez has been banned from running for office because of a 2 year old corruption probe in which no charges have ever been filed. Lopez said "That's the strategy: They shelve my case indefinitely, trying to end my political career."

About 400 politicians have been barred from running for office in what is considered a tactic of Hugo Chavez to squash opposition. Other ways of stopping opposition have been the arrest and indictment of thousands of protesters as well as the slashing of budgets of opposition candidates who have captured offices by the pro-Chavez National Assembly. In elections last year, anti-Chavez candidates grabbed the Caracas mayoralty as well as five of the 24 states.

Chavez has also refused to renew broadcast licenses of many radio stations critical of his rule as well television channel, RCTV, which has been critical of the Venezuelan government. Chavez has recently said: "I don't persecute anybody."

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