Informed sources suspect that he died a number of days ago and there certainly are clear indications that this might be the case.
On Friday, the 1st of March Venezuela devalued its currency 32%. In itself, that would simply help exports and be highly inflation. However, the government dictates retail prices and companies such as Colgate Palmolive, Kraft Foods, Kimberly Clark and a host of others are left holding the bag. They cannot raise their prices accordingly and as one Colgate executive said, “We might be forced to raise our prices in other countries to offset the loss.”
“Other countries” may include Costa Rica.
Today Caracas had its own conclave of sorts calling together every governor, all top military leaders and were collectively forging out a contingency plan to maintain both power as well as avoiding possible riots.
Later this afternoon, the U.S Attaché, without cause, was given 24 hours to leave the country.
The acting leader is Nicola Maduro who seems to smell power. He’s only 50 years old and might be a more radical socialist than Chavez. He also declared that it were the enemies of Venezuela which caused Hugo Chavez to get cancer (Meaning the United States)
Frequently the media refer to Chavez as president and Maduro as the vice president of Venezuela. However, Chavez won the election and as a result of his caner, has not been inaugurated.
While the constitution of Venezuela clearly calls for new election in the event the incumbent cannot take office within 30 days of the election, the handpicked judges keep on delaying and ignoring the law.
What we have right now in Venezuela are a lot of unknowns except we do know the stores are short on food, unemployment is high, the coffers of the country are running light and since Chavez replaced competent employees in that country’s massive oil fields with political hacks, there is but a dribble being pumped compared to what should be the case.
