Archive for the ‘Caracas Connect’ Category

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April 23, 2013 |

Caracas Connect, April 2013: Venezuela’s Elections- Photo Finish and a Lingering Controversy

Since the polls closed in Caracas on Sunday evening, April 14th, bringing a polarizing campaign to an end with a surprising photo finish, events in Venezuela have been fast moving.  While Nicolás Maduro has been declared the winner, and sworn in as president, the controversy surrounding the campaign is outliving… read more »

March 6, 2013 |

Caracas Connect: The Chávez Legacy

Hugo Chávez Frías died at age 58 on March 5. He was the dominant personality in Latin American politics over the past fifteen years. First, with the failed coup of 1992, which raised questions about the compatibility of neoliberal, free market economic policies with democracy; then, with his landslide election to the Venezuelan presidency in December 1998, he put himself at the leading edge of what has been called the “Pink Wave” – the rise of leftists to power after years in the wilderness.

February 21, 2013 |

Caracas Connect: Chávez Returns – but has much really changed?

President Hugo Chávez Frías returned to Venezuela on Monday, February 18. He arrived by military transport and, without any audio or visual communication, was taken straight-away to a military hospital in Caracas. The Venezuelan leader, who now has 4 million followers on Twitter, did send three tweets expressing his happiness in returning to his homeland.

February 8, 2013 |

Caracas Connect: Chávez Misses January 10 Inauguration – the aftermath

The inauguration of Hugo Chávez Frías for a new six year term as Venezuela’s president came and went on January 10th amid widespread speculation in the media about the condition of Chávez after his fourth operation for pelvic cancer and controversy about whether the Bolivarian Constitution requires a new election to be called within 30 days due to his absence.

December 20, 2012 |

Caracas Connect: December special edition on Chávez’s health crisis and regional elections

By Dr. Daniel Hellinger-One rarely finds a consensus about anything regarding Venezuelan politics, but the current news coverage and the commentary have generally agreed on the following:
1. President Chávez is unlikely to complete his term in office. His emotional address to the nation, just before he left to go to Cuba for yet another cancer operation in his pelvic region, calling for unity around Vice President Nicolás Maduro, was intended to head off any disarray inside the ruling United Social Party of Venezuela (PSUV) in the event that he is unable to assume office for a new term on January 10. Should that happen, it would necessitate a new election within 30 days or at most six months depending on the circumstances detailed below.

December 12, 2012 |

Caracas Connect: A Tale of Two Elections

By Dr. Dan Hellinger – President Hugo Chávez announced on December 8 that his cancer had returned and that he would return to Cuba for another operation. He signed papers ratifying the authorization of his absence from the country and spoke somberly about the possibility that he would not survive this third operation. While he expressed optimism that the operation would successful, he also referred to the possibility of a “miracle” as he kissed a crucifix that he carries in his pocket. The operation took place Tuesday, December 11th.

October 9, 2012 |

Caracas Connect: Mortality, Electoral Mandates, and Revolution

By Dr. Dan Hellinger- Venezuela’s President Hugo Chávez Frías won a substantial victory over his main challenger on Sunday, October 7, defeating Henrique Capriles by a margin of 54.8% to 44.3% of votes cast in an election where an astounding 81 percent of the electorate turned out. (A handful of… read more »

October 2, 2012 |

Caracas Connect: Venezuela Election FAQs

By Dr. Dan Hellinger- Who are the candidates? The incumbent, President Hugo Chávez Frías, and the main challenger, Henrique Capriles Radonski, governor of the state of Miranda.  Chávez was first elected president in December 1998 and had his mandate renewed in 2000 (under a new constitution passed in 1999). In… read more »

September 7, 2012 |

Caracas Connect: Pre-Election Update

As the October 7th election approaches, most polls continue to show President Hugo Chávez comfortably ahead of the opposition candidate, Henrique Capriles, but there are some contrary findings and some other reasons to think the election may be close in the end.

June 29, 2012 |

Caracas Connect – June 2012: Reporting and analysis on Venezuela

By Dr. Dan Hellinger In this issue, we examine: How uncertainty about President Chávez’s health is playing out in Venezuela’s politics and the media; Judicial impunity and controversy about a Supreme Court Justice who has fled to the United States; Prison violence and efforts at reform; Oil prices and new… read more »

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