Venezuela Leader's Return May Boost Pressure for New Vote
Venezuela Leader's Return May Boost Pressure for New Vote
AS/COA's Eric Farnsworth notes President Hugo Chávez's return "in the dead of night is revealing as his absence has been a clear interruption of constitutional democracy in Venezuela."
CARACAS, Venezuela — President Hugo Chavez's return to Venezuela after cancer treatment in Cuba answered questions about whether he was still alive and triggered impassioned rallies among his supporters. But continued concern for his health and decisions made during his 10-week absence may only increase pressure for new elections to choose a successor....
Among the political factors at work, analysts said Monday, is the 46% devaluation of Venezuela's currency ordered this month by Chavez's designated political heir, Vice President Nicolas Maduro. The move could carry political costs in the long term that would make it expedient for Chavistas to hold quick elections if the president is too ill to govern.
Eric Farnsworth, vice president of the Washington office of the Americas Society, said Chavez's return didn't diminish the constitutional crisis that is gripping Venezuela in light of his long stay in Cuba and the questionable constitutionality of his designating Maduro as his successor.
"His incapacitation and his designation of the uninaugurated Maduro to run things in his absence has been a pretty clear interruption of constitutional democracy," Farnsworth said.
As for Chavez's health, Farnsworth noted that his return "in the dead of night rather than the celebratory welcome at the airport that would otherwise have been expected is revealing."
Chavez's return, despite the appearance that he has not fully recovered from surgery, may in part have been a response to increasing pressure from opposition groups. On Monday, students spent a fifth day at the Cuban Embassy in Caracas in protests originally called over Chavez's absence....
