The Stakes in Venezuela's Vote
Alvaro Vargas Llosa, RealClearPoliticsWASHINGTON -- In any dictatorship that holds an election, opposition movements face a dilemma -- to participate or not to participate. If they do, they could legitimize an electoral charade. If they don't, they will cede all the institutional space to the dictator. Five years ago, the Venezuelan opposition boycotted National Assembly elections. Their case was morally sound: Everything pointed to a rigged vote and any collaboration with Hugo Chavez's farce would openly help him. But the result was a legislature that has overwhelmingly acted as Chavez's mouthpiece. When those...