As Hugo Chavez recovers in a military hospital, the Venezuelan opposition is huddling to pick a unity candidate in case the ailing president is unable to govern and a snap election is called.
Chavez returned to Caracas eight days ago after two months of cancer treatment in Cuba, but he has remained out of sight, fueling speculation about his health and political future.Vice President Nicolas Maduro insisted yesterday that Chavez, 58, remained firmly in charge, giving orders to ‘loyal’ subordinates to maintain the country's economic, political and social life.
But after taking several beatings from Chavez at the ballot box for the past 14 years, the opposition wants to avoid being caught off guard, since elections need to be called within 30 days if the president is incapacitated.
Chavez returned to Caracas eight days ago after two months of cancer treatment in Cuba, but he has remained out of sight, fueling speculation about his health and political future.Vice President Nicolas Maduro insisted yesterday that Chavez, 58, remained firmly in charge, giving orders to ‘loyal’ subordinates to maintain the country's economic, political and social life.
But after taking several beatings from Chavez at the ballot box for the past 14 years, the opposition wants to avoid being caught off guard, since elections need to be called within 30 days if the president is incapacitated.