Chavez in Charge?

By Ryan Stephens

The death of an era approaches. With Hugo Chavez being absent from the public and news of poor health coming out every once in awhile, the future does not look bright for the socialists that rule one of the extreme left Latin American countries. The curtains have yet to close for Chavez but once it happens, the consequences will quickly surface. Supposing that the ideologies of the administration will change significantly, the future looks grim for strong supporters of Chavez and bright for the United States. These shifts in attitudes could occur due to a change in administration, new freedoms, and better relations with Venezuela as a result. Some benefits must come from this potential changing of the guard.

Now, the first changes come in the form of a changing of the people who run the show in Venezuela. Chavez’s now chosen successor, Nicolas Maduro, essentially would echo the policies and stances of Chavez’s administration so the perception that Chavez’s death may have some truth behind it. However, the death of Chavez could lead to a power vacuum, depending on how much “democracy” takes place upon his death. With all the powers possibly vying for control of Venezuela, the subsequent violent reaction could lead to a synthesis that will prove beneficial for the people of Venezuela and the nations it interacts with. Though with that in mind, remember back to the fact this could only happen if a repeat does not happen and the new leaders of Venezuela do not end up being puppets of Chavez’s political agenda.
So, if a regime change finds itself with this massive change in leadership, what will happen to the people of Venezuela? Few will most likely get caught up in any patriotic zeal that may result in a leadership change but the benefits that will come from it will definitely change that attitude. Not even the lowest tyrant could call the Chavez presidency a champion of human rights, especially with stories of human trafficking, political prisoners, and prisons that share a frightening resemblance to Soviet-era gulags. Some change within the leadership should alleviate these social ills and Venezuela especially needs it. Venezuela ends up being an extremely violent country with poor records of combating said problem. The weakening of the iron grip that Chavez that would come from his death would lead to major reform being pushed through. Anything that would tackle the social issues of Venezuela would have major benefits in other areas.

American-Venezuelan relations would see plenty of benefits from social reform. Americans do not see the Chavez administration as allies nor as adversaries. Chavez made his stance on the United States clear on many occasions. The distorted lens of his administration paints the West as devils that undermine the government he tried so hard to keep in place. Such a view bares resemblance to Muammar Gaddafi’s ramblings near the end of his regime. The scapegoating appears to be a last ditch effort to inspire the Venezuelan people to carry the torch. However, the people of Venezuela have tasted democracy, after all, communications there lacks restrictions in other countries that managed to successfully suppress rebellion. The people will make their decision once Chavez dies and it will appear favorable to the United States. Not necessarily a complete change in their politics but definitely more negotiable with the United States.
Taking a step back, the death of Hugo Chavez, as morbid as this may sound, may bring many positive things. A changing of the guard, a wave of social reform, and a possible transition in their role in global politics seem to indicate a great deal of good things that may come from the death of a man who held a country in his hands with great resolve for many years. Of course, this speculation could easily reverse and the new Venezuelan leaders could end up being even stronger radicals than Chavez ever dreamed of being. So only time will tell but if fate shows an unnatural streak of kindness, then the future looks bright for Venezuela.

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