Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez died Tuesday after a prolonged battle with cancer. He was 58.
A deeply polarizing figure, he reoriented Venezuela toward a path that had both socialist and anti-American tendencies over the course of his 14 year-rule. His supporters point to the vast network of social safety nets he created for the poor of Venezuela, while detractors emphasize the autocratic nature of his rule.
In recent weeks, the secrecy with which officials handled his deteriorating health became a political issue in Venezuela. His death leaves open questions about the future of the country-- and about the real impact of his legacy.
Hannah Strange is Latin American Correspondent for the London Times; Phil Gunson is a Caracas based freelance journalist, who writes for The Economist; and Elio Aponte is founder of the Organizacion de Venezolanos en Exilo.
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Comments [2]
Much comment yesterday at work about the CIA killing Chavez, using disease. Well, there might be a minority of rightwing nuts in the CIA who did not like his support for Cuba. But all in all I would say the CIA dances to the tune of the oil companies. The impression I got over the years has been that the oil companies liked the deterioration of Venezuela's oil industry. So I don't see much motive. On the contrary, I'm guessing the general tone is, well, too bad, but we did get a good run out of the guy. Their oil industry is now a mess, largely due his bumbling incompetence, and it will take years to fix up.
Wow, I felt like I was being a voyeur as Mr Hockenberry rhapsoidized over his gun. Fairly creepy. Mr Baum has a good schtick going on about how is he is a nerdy liberal but he is delirious about his guns. And I find it offensive that he calls his fellow enthusiasts 'gun guys" to make them seem more like like good buddy hwo lives next door.
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