Courtesy of: Associated Press
This week: Capriles held on to his governorship of Miranda in Sunday’s state elections, solidifying his place as the opposition’s leader; power struggles between Chávez’s most influential allies begin to brew as the shadow of the president’s cancer looms; the budget for Venezuela’s states and communities will be less than it was in 2009; socialist communes will receive more funds in 2013 than mayor and governor’s offices. Meanwhile, Chávez suffers a respiratory infection and must remain in a state of “absolute rest”; Chavez’s battle with cancer and the possibility of a new presidential election will likely delay a needed currency devaluation; Venezuelan allies fear they will lose their socialist patron if Chávez dies or is forced to step down; Venezuela’s Supreme Court considers may decide whether Chávez’s presidential swearing-in can be postponed. Lastly, Venezuela’s National Electoral Council (CNE) announces that the election of 335 mayors and municipal councils will be held next May 26.
Venezuela’s Capriles Solidifies Threat to Chávez, Wall Street Journal
Henrique Capriles held on to his governorship in state elections Sunday, solidifying his place as the opposition’s most likely candidate if President Hugo Chávez’s illness forces a new race for Venezuela’s presidency.
Behind appearance of unity among Chavez allies, some Venezuelans see power struggles brewing, Associated Press
Hugo Chavez’s most influential allies are projecting an image of unity while the president recovers from cancer surgery in Cuba, standing side-by-side and pledging to uphold his socialist movement no matter what happens.
Venezuela’s FY2013 budget below that of 2009, El Universal
During the presentation of the national budget for fiscal year 2013, Finance Minister Jorge Giordani stressed that next year the regions would be receiving more funds than in 2012. However, official data shows that the FY2013 budget will be actually below that in 2008-2009.
Venezuelan communes to get more funds than mayor’s offices, El Universal
Venezuela’s Budget Law for fiscal year 2013 provides that some USD 4.9 billion will be allocated by the Inter-territorial Compensation Fund (FCI) to the projects and plans of governor’s offices, mayoralties and communal councils.
Venezuela’s Chavez Suffers Respiratory Infection After Surgery, Businessweek
Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez suffered a respiratory infection after cancer surgery in Cuba that was treated by doctors and controlled on Dec. 17, Information Minister Ernesto Villegas said yesterday. Chavez is currently in stable condition, Villegas said in a national address on television and radio.
Chavez’s cancer may put Venezuela devaluation on hold, Reuters
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s battle with cancer and the possibility of a new presidential election look likely to delay key economic policy decisions including a sharp currency devaluation needed to shore up public finances.
Analysis: Allies to lose socialist patron if Venezuela’s Chavez goes, Reuters
Murals adorning a Caracas slum that has given militant backing to President Hugo Chavez over the years are a virtual pantheon of international radicals. From Colombia’s FARC guerrillas to the Palestine Liberation Organization and Ernesto “Che” Guevara, the images and slogans on teeming slopes above Chavez’s presidential palace hail socialist revolutionaries the world over.
Top Venezuela judge: court could decide if constitution allows delay of Chavez’s swearing-in, Washington Post
The president of Venezuela’s Supreme Court said Thursday that it could decide whether it’s constitutional to postpone the date of ailing President Hugo Chavez’s swearing-in as he recovers from cancer surgery in Cuba.
Venezuela’s electoral council: Local elections will be held on May 26, El Universal
The Venezuela’s National Electoral Council (CNE) announced on Thursday that the election of 335 mayors and municipal councils, in addition to two mayoralties in Caracas metropolitan area and their respective chambers will be held next May 26.