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Latin American Program in the News: Venezuela Confronts Political Uncertainty as Ailing Chavez Misses Inauguration

Cindy Arnson

Cynthia Arnson comments on how that country is preparing for the potential of a power struggle amid intense secrecy over the president's health.

Cynthia Arnson, director of the Latin America Program at the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars, says Capriles, who came closer than anyone to unseating the president, will likely lead those who want to end the Chavez era. 

CYNTHIA ARNSON, Director, Latin America Program, Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars:  He will remain, I think, the person who the opposition will put up to run against Maduro.  But I think he's coming from behind, and it's also going to be a very difficult, a very short period of time in which to organize another national election. 

The movement will definitely survive, but it will be very different.  There will be different factional conflicts.  There will be -- there's really no one who claims the heart and soul of the ardent Chavez following in the same way that Hugo Chavez has been able to do over these years.

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About the Author

Cindy Arnson

Cynthia J. Arnson

Distinguished Fellow and Former Director, Latin America Program
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Latin America Program

The Wilson Center’s prestigious Latin America Program provides non-partisan expertise to a broad community of decision makers in the United States and Latin America on critical policy issues facing the Hemisphere. The Program provides insightful and actionable research for policymakers, private sector leaders, journalists, and public intellectuals in the United States and Latin America. To bridge the gap between scholarship and policy action, it fosters new inquiry, sponsors high-level public and private meetings among multiple stakeholders, and explores policy options to improve outcomes for citizens throughout the Americas. Drawing on the Wilson Center’s strength as the nation’s key non-partisan policy forum, the Program serves as a trusted source of analysis and a vital point of contact between the worlds of scholarship and action.  Read more

Latin America Program

The Wilson Center’s prestigious Latin America Program provides non-partisan expertise to a broad community of decision makers in the United States and Latin America on critical policy issues facing the Hemisphere. The Program provides insightful and actionable research for policymakers, private sector leaders, journalists, and public intellectuals in the United States and Latin America. To bridge the gap between scholarship and policy action, it fosters new inquiry, sponsors high-level public and private meetings among multiple stakeholders, and explores policy options to improve outcomes for citizens throughout the Americas. Drawing on the Wilson Center’s strength as the nation’s key non-partisan policy forum, the Program serves as a trusted source of analysis and a vital point of contact between the worlds of scholarship and action.  Read more