Posted on 05/04/2012 11:23:58 AM PDT by Free ThinkerNY
CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's absence from the spotlight, his creation of a formal advisory committee, and media leaks of medical details are feeding speculation of a downturn in his nearly year-long battle with cancer.
With a presidential election looming for October 7 in the OPEC nation ruled by Chavez since 1999, Venezuelans are obsessively focused on his condition and fretting about the consequences of a possible succession struggle.
Should the rumors be true - and they are fiercely denied by government officials - an end to the Chavez era would shake Venezuela and have major repercussions around Latin America where leftist allies like Cuba depend on his oil-fuelled largesse.
Spending most of the last six weeks in Havana for radiotherapy treatment, Chavez has only been seen once live in public since mid-April - and he ended that short address on Monday choking on his words and with tears in his eyes.
"These are not easy days, but we are warriors," he said.
That image has stuck in Venezuelans' minds, echoing a Mass last month where Chavez wept and asked God to spare his life.
Further stoking the rumor-mill, Chavez this week created a new Council of State, intended to act as an advisory committee. It is composed of veteran loyalists including a military officer and octogenarian confidant Jose Vicente Rangel.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Maybe he can really smell the brimstone now.
Speaking of cancer, that guy from the Beastie boys just died from it. Only 47. And of course a POS like Chavez lives on.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31749_162-57428138-10391698/beastie-boys-adam-yauch-dead-at-47/
Smells like...freedom.
Will we see a return to representative government, which was the norm in Caracas before the assent of Sgt. Hugo?
History does not bode well for the people of Venezuela. Every country swallowed up by communism on average takes two generations before it gathers enough momentum to consider a return to a free market, limited central government and a bill of citizen rights. Of course, this rule does not apply to islamic countries, which never return to the fold.
There is something in the Central/South American culture that predisposes them to socialism. We freed Nicaragua from communism, under Danny Ortega at no small cost to the American taxpayers. Then the Nicas voted DannyBoy and his communism back in.
America could use a jungle warfare training continent - just declare the whole place a free fire zone.
‘He’s all but dead, Jim.’
The repercussions of dancing Munchkins.
Very few grains are left in the top of the Chavez hourglass.
Don’t worry Comrade Zero will make sure another communist thug will replace him....see Honduras....
Don’t worry Comrade Zero will make sure another communist thug will replace him....see Honduras....
But, but, there must be some mistake...wasn’t he treated by the very best medical teams in the world?..../s
Apparently Hugo’s brother is waiting in the wings, it will be interesting if he can hang onto power once Hugo goes....it could get ugly very quickly.
Hugo has enough charisma that his grip on power has only required limited violence. The large number of very poor Chavez has used to secure his rule won’t be so compliant for his brother. However, a more violent and distinctly Maoist follow up is more likely than a reversal of the Chavez socialist personality cult. So your very ugly period seems likely.
Wonder if Sean Penn has been apprised - or approached. Maybe a position for this already - essentially;intellectually - ex-pat - American? Penn and like-minded; should be impressed with the 'passing of power' MO of these communists. . .
I think Hugo is on final countdown. I love the smell of sulpher in the morning
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