Hugo Chávez and Venezuela

{
  "authors": [
    "Moisés Naím"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
  ],
  "collections": [],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "",
  "programs": [],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "North America",
    "South America"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Political Reform",
    "Democracy",
    "Economy"
  ]
}

In The Media

Hugo Chávez and Venezuela

The secrecy over the health and well-being of Venezuela's cancer-stricken President Hugo Chávez has left many thinking about the country's future.

By Moisés Naím

Published on Jan 10, 2013

Source: BBC World News America

Speaking to the BBC, Carnegie’s Moisés Naím discusses Venezuela’s deeply divided sentiments toward President Hugo Chávez. Whether Chávez is disliked or adored, Naím explained, the oil-exporting nation is suffering from a slew of economic challenges, including a shortage of staples such as milk and sugar; double-digit inflation; and the world’s second largest fiscal deficit. Before leaving for Cuba to receive treatment for an unspecified cancer, Chávez anointed Vice President Nicolás Maduro as his successor, and urged Venezuelans to elect Maduro should he not return, added Naím.

About the Author

Moisés Naím

Distinguished Fellow

Moisés Naím is a distinguished fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a best-selling author, and an internationally syndicated columnist.

Recent Work

Research
The World Reacts to Biden’s First 100 Days
- +10
  Rosa Balfour, Frances Z. Brown, Yasmine Farouk, …
Commentary
View From Latin America
- Moisés Naím

Political Reform Democracy Economy North America South America

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Carnegie Europe

Research
New Approaches to Defending Global Civil Society
New thinking is needed on how global civil society can be protected. In an era of major-power rivalry, competitive geopolitics, and security primacy, civil society is in danger of getting squeezed – in some countries, almost entirely out of existence.
Richard Youngs, ed., Elene Panchulidze, ed.
Commentary
Strategic Europe
How Europe Can Survive the AI Labor Transition
Integrating AI into the workplace will increase job insecurity, fundamentally reshaping labor markets. To anticipate and manage this transition, the EU must build public trust, provide training infrastructures, and establish social protections.
Amanda Coakley
Commentary
Strategic Europe
Can Europe Still Matter in Syria?
Europe’s interests in Syria extend beyond migration management, yet the EU trails behind other players in the country’s post-Assad reconstruction. To boost its influence in Damascus, the union must upgrade its commitment to ensuring regional stability.
Bianka Speidl, Hanga Horváth-Sántha
Paper
European Democracy Support Annual Review 2025
European democracy support strategy in 2025 prioritized protecting democratic norms within Europe. This signals the start of a structural recalibration of the EU’s approach to democracy support.
+6
Richard Youngs, ed., Elena Viudes Egea, Zselyke Csaky, …
Commentary
Strategic Europe
Taking the Pulse: Can the EU Attract Foreign Investment and Reduce Dependencies?
EU member states clash over how to boost the union’s competitiveness: Some want to favor European industries in public procurement, while others worry this could deter foreign investment. So, can the EU simultaneously attract global capital and reduce dependencies?
Rym Momtaz, ed.

More Work from Carnegie Europe

Research

New Approaches to Defending Global Civil Society

New thinking is needed on how global civil society can be protected. In an era of major-power rivalry, competitive geopolitics, and security primacy, civil society is in danger of getting squeezed – in some countries, almost entirely out of existence.

Richard Youngs, ed., Elene Panchulidze, ed.

Commentary

Strategic Europe

How Europe Can Survive the AI Labor Transition

Integrating AI into the workplace will increase job insecurity, fundamentally reshaping labor markets. To anticipate and manage this transition, the EU must build public trust, provide training infrastructures, and establish social protections.

Amanda Coakley

Commentary

Strategic Europe

Can Europe Still Matter in Syria?

Europe’s interests in Syria extend beyond migration management, yet the EU trails behind other players in the country’s post-Assad reconstruction. To boost its influence in Damascus, the union must upgrade its commitment to ensuring regional stability.

Bianka Speidl, Hanga Horváth-Sántha

Paper

European Democracy Support Annual Review 2025

European democracy support strategy in 2025 prioritized protecting democratic norms within Europe. This signals the start of a structural recalibration of the EU’s approach to democracy support.

- +6
Richard Youngs, ed., Elena Viudes Egea, Zselyke Csaky, …

Commentary

Strategic Europe

Taking the Pulse: Can the EU Attract Foreign Investment and Reduce Dependencies?

EU member states clash over how to boost the union’s competitiveness: Some want to favor European industries in public procurement, while others worry this could deter foreign investment. So, can the EU simultaneously attract global capital and reduce dependencies?

Rym Momtaz, ed.