Post-Chavez Venezuela

Ambassador Patrick Duddy comments on post-Chavez Venezuela. Bottom line: don’t expect improvement, because chavismo is entrenched in the body politic. On January 10 Chavez is supposed to be sworn in as president. His medical condition in Havana will in all likelihood prevent it. The constitution stipulates that elections must be held within 30 days if he’s unable to assume the presidency. But the date could be slipped, while chavista leaders sort out the options. In any case, it’s a new ball game, with jockeying for position going on between potential successors, while the opposition measures its own options. Relations with US might improve if the opposition wins.

http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2013/01/03/venezuela-post-chavez/progress-in-chavismo-entrenched-venezuela-will-be-slow

Washington Post editorial on the same subject. The title is misleading, this is not the end game in Venezuela. There are more games to play, with new players, and perhaps rules that are more fair. Après moi le déluge?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/venezuelas-endgame-approaches/2013/01/05/bd36fde0-56a2-11e2-8b9e-dd8773594efc_story.html