{
  "id": "R42989",
  "type": "CRS Report",
  "typeId": "REPORTS",
  "number": "R42989",
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  "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
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      "id": 419470,
      "date": "2013-04-09",
      "retrieved": "2016-04-06T23:31:47.606387",
      "title": "Hugo Ch\u00e1vez\u2019s Death: Implications for Venezuela and U.S. Relations",
      "summary": "T\nhe death of Venezuelan President Hugo Ch\u00e1vez on March 5, 2013, after 14 years of populist rule, has implications not only for Venezuela\u2019s political future, but potentially for the future of U.S.-Venezuelan relations. This report provides a brief discussion of those implications. For additional background on President Ch\u00e1vez\u2019s rule and U.S. policy, see CRS Report R40938, Venezuela: Issues for Congress, by Mark P. Sullivan.\nCongress has had a strong interest in Venezuela and U.S. relations with Venezuela under the Ch\u00e1vez government. Among the concerns of U.S. policymakers has been the deterioration of human rights and democratic conditions, Venezuela\u2019s significant military arms purchases, lack of cooperation on anti-terrorism efforts, limited bilateral anti-drug cooperation, and Venezuela\u2019s relations with Cuba and Iran.\nThe United States traditionally enjoyed close relations with Venezuela, but there has been considerable friction in relations under the Ch\u00e1vez government. U.S. policymakers have expressed hope for a new era in U.S.-Venezuelan relations in the post-Ch\u00e1vez era. While this might not be possible while Venezuela soon gears up for a presidential campaign, there may be an opportunity in the aftermath of the election.\nThe Venezuelan Constitution calls for a new presidential election within 30 days; an election has now been scheduled for April 14, 2013. Acting President Nicol\u00e1s Maduro, who had been serving as Vice President until Chavez\u2019s death, is the presidential candidate for the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), while Henrique Capriles, governor of Miranda state, who ran in the October 2012 presidential election, is the candidate for the opposition Democratic Unity Platform (MUD, Mesa de la Unidad Democr\u00e1tica). Many observers expect that the outpouring of sympathy for President Ch\u00e1vez, as well as the fact that Ch\u00e1vez himself called on his supporters to elect Maduro if anything were to happen to him, bode well for Maduro\u2019s election prospects. Whoever wins the election will face enormous economic and political challenges.",
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      "typeId": "REPORTS",
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