In what seems to be the turning over of a new leaf for 2008, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced today that he will pardon those accused of leading a 2002 coup against his government.

Offering amnesty to coup members and dissidents that authorities had doggedly pursued for five years signals Chavez may try to build bridges with an opposition fresh off its first victory since he was elected in 1998.

“This is a positive gesture,” said Gonzalo Himiob, a lawyer with the opposition group Penal Forum, which has accused Chavez of persecuting political rivals.

Instead, Chavez is vowing to take on social problems such as crime, corruption and inflation, as well as tackling the milk shortage problem.

I wonder if this means Chavez might also “pardon” RCTV — which he called “golpista” — and let them broadcast again. Probably not. They seem to have all but disappeared on YouTube.

Via / El Universal and Reuters