In this week’s roundup… President Hugo Chávez reportedly plans to withdraw from the World Bank’s International Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID); crime spreads to Venezuela’s hospitals; Chávez gears up for a 4th round of chemotherapy; opposition leader Henrique Capriles Radonski’s unique style of campaigning stands out, and Venezuela’s presidential election is scheduled for October 2012; Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad to visit Venezuela; and Chávez continues to publicly defend embattled Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.

Chávez Takes Steps to Exit Global Forum, The Wall Street Journal

President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela has taken steps to pull out of the global forum most used to settle investor disputes, where Caracas faces more than $40 billion in claims for nationalized properties.

In Venezuela crime spree, even hospitals are hit, The Associated Press

A young man dies of gunshot wounds, and enraged friends and relatives react by shooting up the hospital.

Venezuela’s Chavez expects 1 more round of chemo, The Associated Press via The Seattle Times

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says he expects to undergo one more round of chemotherapy and that it should be the last phase in his cancer treatment.

Anti-Chavez leader with nonconfrontational style stands out among contenders in Venezuela, The Washington Post

The rival who could pose the greatest threat to President Hugo Chavez may be the only politician in Venezuela who almost never mentions the leader by name.

UPDATE: Venezuelan Presidential Vote Scheduled For Oct 7, 2012, The Wall Street Journal

2012 presidential election set for Oct. 7. Election moved up from traditional December date. Concerns that earlier election favors Chavez.

Venezuela’s Chavez expects visit from Iran leader, AFP via Univision

Hugo Chavez expects Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad to visit him after this month’s UN General Assembly, which the Venezuelan leader will be unable to attend because of cancer treatment.

Venezuela’s Chavez sees cautionary tale in Libya, The Associated Press (Also picked up by The Washington Post)

When Moammar Gadhafi made his first and only visit to South America in 2009, President Hugo Chavez praised his longtime friend as “the liberator of Libya,” talked politics inside his Bedouin tent and presented him with Venezuela’s highest award.