Will U.S. relations with Venezuela improve after Hugo Chavez's death?
The late Venezuelan president boosted his power by railing against the U.S.
The death of longtime Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, after a two-year battle with cancer, left his country bitterly divided and facing an uncertain future. Crowds of mourners lined the streets of Caracas for a glimpse of the hearse carrying his casket, praising him for helping the poor, while political opponents said they hoped Chavez's anti-U.S., take-no-prisoners brand of socialism would now give way to a more inclusive and business-friendly atmosphere. Reaction in the U.S. was split, too, with President Obama taking the middle ground and calling for improved relations between Washington and the leaders who will fill Chavez's shoes in the oil-rich, South American nation.
Some observers think Obama has good reason to be hopeful. Even though the U.S. Embassy's military attache was expelled from Venezuela shortly before Chavez's death was announced Tuesday, say Paul Richter and Chris Kraul at The Los Angeles Times, "the country could still be headed for a change that would have infuriated the fiery populist: better relations with the United States."
Others suggest it's wishful thinking to expect a diplomatic thaw. Case in point: In his first press conference, Chavez's hand-picked interim successor, Vice President Nicolas Maduro, accused the U.S. of trying to capitalize on Chavez's illness to destabilize Venezuela, and expelled two American military attaches. He even went so far as to accuse the U.S. of somehow causing Chavez's illness. Maduro hopes to win the coming election to replace Chavez, and, if his recent "railing against the United States" is any indication, says Elise Labott at CNN, he's going to be unleashing plenty more anti-American rhetoric to shore up his base.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Still, "U.S. officials are cautiously optimistic" that Chavez's death "could improve relations between the two countries," says Jay Newton-Small at TIME, even if "they aren't holding their breath." The tense days of the looming presidential election campaign might not be conducive to an easing of the rhetoric. Venezuelan politics revolved around Chavez for 14 years, and now that he's gone, things are bound to change, including, possibly, the attitude of the country's relationship with the U.S. "He played an outsized role in that government," a State Department official told reporters Wednesday, "and therefore his absence can have outsized implications."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Harold Maass is a contributing editor at The Week. He has been writing for The Week since the 2001 debut of the U.S. print edition and served as editor of TheWeek.com when it launched in 2008. Harold started his career as a newspaper reporter in South Florida and Haiti. He has previously worked for a variety of news outlets, including The Miami Herald, ABC News and Fox News, and for several years wrote a daily roundup of financial news for The Week and Yahoo Finance.
-
7 drinks for every winter need possible
The Week Recommends Including a variety of base spirits and a range of temperatures
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
'We have made it a crime for most refugees to want the American dream'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
Was the Azerbaijan Airlines plane shot down?
Today's Big Question Multiple sources claim Russian anti-aircraft missile damaged passenger jet, leading to Christmas Day crash that killed at least 38
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US election: who the billionaires are backing
The Explainer More have endorsed Kamala Harris than Donald Trump, but among the 'ultra-rich' the split is more even
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
1 of 6 'Trump Train' drivers liable in Biden bus blockade
Speed Read Only one of the accused was found liable in the case concerning the deliberate slowing of a 2020 Biden campaign bus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published