Posted on May 18, 2012
In Case You Missed It… Articles Roundup Week of 5/18/12
This week: As Venezuela's October 7 elections approach, opposition candidate Henrique Capriles spends time speaking to Venezuela's poorest, a demographic that Chávez has long dominated; Hugo Chávez's prolonged illness and absence from the spotlight has some wondering whether his party is preparing contingency plans for the elections, including delaying or canceling them entirely, and possibly an alternative candidate, such as Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro. Similarities between Chávez and Putin prompt a columnist to wonder why the Venezuelan president receives less international criticism. Meanwhile, investors continue to devalue Venezuela's debt, which is increasing at record pace due to Chávez's election-year spending. The increased spending has also helped hide the shrinking private sector...