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Audio: Conference Call - Chávez’s Death and Implications for Venezuela

AS/COA held a conference call with political scientist Javier Corrales, who discussed the death of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez and what's next for Venezuela.

AS/COA held a conference call with Javier Corrales, professor of political science at Amherst College, to discuss the death of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez and what this means for Venezuela."Chavismo is enjoying another political honeymoon; we're witnessing the birth of a Latin American myth," Corrales noted. "But it is occurring at a time when Venezuela is entering a very serious economic crisis, perhaps the worst crisis since 2002." Corrales explained that inflation and a productivity collapse present significant challenges, and these types of problems could hurt Nicolás Maduro's candidacy in the upcoming elections. It's in the government's interest to hold elections prompty, Corrales explained, in order to take advantage of political capital following Chávez's death and before the economic crisis worsens. Henrique Capriles—who ran for president last year—is likely to be the opposition candidate, but he may find greater competition to the popularity of chavismo than in October, Corrales said.

 

 

Download an MP3 of the audio.