Caracas, Venezuela--
Venezuelan officials announced that Hugo Chavez died late Tuesday after a fourteen year term as President, and a prolonged battle with cancer. Nicolás Maduro, Chavez’ Vice President, will be the stand-in leader of the nation for the next thirty days, when the new election will be held.
President Chavez, known for his Socialist stance against poverty, leaves behind an unsettled and unstable nation. Venezuela and its charismatic president have, for the last decade, been viewed in a mixed light. Proponents spoke of his commitment to end inequality, hunger, and poverty, and to creating an enduring sovereignty despite the neo-imperialist reach of the United States in Latin America. However, as critics rightly point out, Chavez has created serious divisions between the working class and what remains of Venezuela’s wealthy citizens. Upper-middle class Venezuelans have long resented him for his harsh rhetoric and progressive government, and often immigrated to the US and Europe. The following months will decide whether or Venezuelan society supports a continuation of “la revolución.”
In the international arena, the death of Chavez marks a new opportunity for change in alliances. During his rule, Chavez’ paranoia about the conspiratorial actions of hegemonic Western powers led him to forge close friendships with such infamous leaders as Iran’s Ahmedinijad, Syria’s Al-Assad, Libya’s Quadaffi and Cuba’s Castro. The next President of Venezuela will be forced to re-examine the country’s ties with unpopular allies and hostility towards the West. As the world’s fourth largest producer of oil picks sides, all eyes will follow.
Sources:http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/06/world/americas/hugo-chavez-of-venezuela-dies.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&hp&http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/06/world/americas/hugo-chavez-venezuelas-polarizing-leader-dies-at-58.html?hphttp://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2013/03/postscript-hugo-chavez-1954-2013.html