Courtesy of: Associated Press
The Venezuelan elections are approaching rapidly, and a series of recent events has many worried about the possibility of unrest or even violence should opposition candidate Henrique Capriles defeat Hugo Chávez. Chávez has helped to create these fears, warning Venezuelans of a “civil war” should he lose. Meanwhile, a recent opposition campaign event erupted in violence when Chávez supporters blocked a Capriles march and started throwing rocks and bottles, injuring 14. Chávez’s government has also taken formal steps to officially remove itself from the OAS human rights body, creating more concerns about the respect of human rights in the country. The economy is an important topic in the election campaign; as the candidates debate how to best use the country’s oil wealth, analysts say that Chávez has put the national oil industry in jeopardy by using its revenue to fund his revolution. The government’s rampant spending ahead of the election will likely require a currency devaluation in 2013, regardless of which candidate wins. Finally, a recent spat with coffee growers shows how Chávez’s price controls and management of the economy have damaged industry.
Preventing Political Unrest in Venezuela, Council on Foreign Relations
American policy toward Venezuela and its tendentious president, Hugo Chavez, rarely captures headlines. But when it does, the results aren’t pretty.
Venezuela’s Chávez stokes civil-war fears, The Miami Herald
As the Venezuelan presidential election on Oct. 7 draws closer, the anti-opposition rhetoric of Hugo Chávez is becoming more hysterical by the day. Indeed, to listen to Chávez, you would never know that the man is suffering from cancer at an advanced stage.
Rock throwing, arson as Chavez, Capriles supporters clash at campaign event in Venezuela, The Washington Post
Violence erupted at an opposition campaign event Wednesday as supporters of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez blocked a road and a campaign truck was torched.
Venezuela’s government begins process of withdrawing from OAS human rights bodies, The Washington Post
Venezuela has begun the process of pulling out of two human rights bodies by formally withdrawing from a regional human rights pact, the Organization of American States said Monday.
Chavez: economic battle lines drawn, Financial Times
Not long to go now until Venezuela’s presidential elections – just 26 days left – and campaigning is beginning to get dirty, even surreal.
Chavez 67% Spending Surge Sets Up Devaluation After Vote, Business Week
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s 67 percent increase in government spending is setting the stage for a currency devaluation after national elections next month.
Venezuela: Profligacy puts Chávez’s dream at risk, Financial Times
Whether or not President Hugo Chávez triumphs in Venezuela’s presidential elections on October 7, the country will still have the world’s largest proven oil reserves – more even than Saudi Arabia.
Chavez: wake up and smell the coffee, The Financial Times
Coffee growers in Venezuela are up in arms about the government’s decision to raise the price at which they can sell their beans by only 33 per cent.
