Courtesy of: Associated Press
This week: Hugo Chávez returns home to Venezuela, fueling speculation he will soon retire due to his declining health; the military hospital in Caracas housing Chávez remains the center of attention, though there have been no physical signs of the president; as the president remains hidden, Venezuela faces political uncertainty and an impending constitutional crisis; and the Venezuelan government remains discouraged about Chávez’s condition as his breathing difficulties persist. Chávez’s return to Venezuela prompts discussion of succession and a new election; the president’s declining health prevents a visit from his ally President Evo Morales of Bolivia; and Cuba continues to play an outsized role in Venezuelan politics. Lastly, Globovisión, the sole remaining Venezuelan TV channel that criticizes the Chávez regime, accuses the government of excluding it from a new digital television system; Harvest Natural’s deal to sell Venezuelan assets falls through after the devaluation causes the company’s shares to plunge; and companies from the U.S., China and Canada question the lawfulness of the Venezuelan government.
Chavez Return to Venezuela Fuels Speculation He’ll Quit, Bloomberg Businessweek
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez was rushed to a military hospital early this morning after returning home from two months of cancer treatment in Cuba.
Venezuela hospital at center of attention in Chavez’s cancer fight, but no sign of leader, The Washington Post
At Caracas’ military hospital, the only outward signs that President Hugo Chavez is a patient inside are the motorcades that come and go and the soldiers standing guard, some of them wearing red berets.
Venezuela: Constitutional Crisis and a Barely Visible President, The Huffington Post
“Now that the president is back, there can be no doubt about the democratic institutions working in Venezuela,” said communication and information minister Ernesto Villegas on the return to Caracas of the Venezuelan president.
Venezuela Downcast on Chávez’s Condition, The Wall Street Journal
Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, who is recovering from cancer surgery at a military hospital, is still suffering respiratory problems and hasn’t responded favorably to treatment, a government spokesman said late Thursday.
Chavez Back in Venezuela, Stirs Succession Talk, ABC News
Hugo Chavez’s sudden return to Venezuela after more than two months of cancer treatments in Cuba has fanned speculation that the president could be preparing to relinquish power and make way for a successor and a new election.
Chavez’s Health Prevented Him From Seeing Ally Morales, Bloomberg Businessweek
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has endured the “most difficult moments of his life,” according to Bolivian President Evo Morales, who didn’t get to see his close ally during a visit to Caracas.
Cuba has outsized role in Venezuela as Chavez fights cancer, The Washington Post
It’s become a well-worn routine here: A news flash about President Hugo Chavez’s battle with cancer is issued, invariably delivered with great fanfare but scant details.
Venezuela launches digital television, critical TV channel complains it was excluded, The Washington Post
A Venezuelan television channel that takes a critical stance toward President Hugo Chavez accused the government on Wednesday of excluding it from a new digital television system, and it warned that the action could force it off the open airwaves
Harvest Natural’s $725 Million Deal to Sell Venezuela Assets Falls Through, The Wall Street Journal
Harvest Natural Resources Inc. (HNR) said a deal under which Indonesia’s state-owned PT Pertamina had agreed to buy its interests in Venezuela for $725 million has been terminated.
Chinese companies query into Venezuelan governance lawfulness, El Universal
Companies from China, United States and Canada have a big question mark as to lawfulness of governance in Venezuela. For this reason, they hesitate to invest in the country, said Adolfo Salgueiro, an expert in international law.