Venezuela Prepares for a Succession

The political uncertainty surrounding the health of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has nearly ended and the country has begun its preparations for succession. Speaking to the public late Dec. 8, Chavez announced that his cancer had returned and for the first time asked the country to stand behind a potential successor, newly appointed Vice President and former Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro, in the event that Chavez is forced to leave office. According to the country's constitution, if Chavez vacated his seat, the country would need to hold snap elections within 30 days. This is the first time since February that Chavez has openly admitted that his health is deteriorating, which indicates that he will almost certainly not complete his term in office.