Venezuela's Controversial Election Results Are Only the Start of Its Troubles -- Kevin Lees, The New Republic
CARACAS, Venezuela — The late Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez always had superb political timing.
His initial election in 1998 coincided with the lowest oil prices in decades, and he rode a steady rise in prices to a nearly impregnable, petrodollar-fueled reign of power. Although oil prices tumbled in the wake of the global financial crisis in 2008 and 2009, they reversed course in time for his October 2012 reelection.
But he may have saved his best timing for his exit, leaving lesser mortals and a divided country to squabble over how to sort out the legacy he bequeathed to Venezuela.
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