Chavez Health Uncertain for Upcoming Venezuelan Presidential Election

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is battling what's believed to be an aggressive cancer, but he has vowed to continue running for a 3rd term in office.  The election is about for October 7.  Chavez has endured two surgeries since being diagnosed last year and traveled to Cuba again last week for a chain of radiation treatments.

As Hugo Chavez arrived in Cuba for a 3rd round of cancer treatment, his health has become the primary think about his re-election effort.  

Michael Shifter is president of the Inter-American Dialogue in Washington.

"f we've learned anything from Chavez over 13 years, it's that we shouldn’t rule him out," said Shifter.

Political analysts believe this would be his toughest election.  Chavez is accused of mismanaging Venezuela's oil wealth and devastating the remainder of the economy together with his firebrand left-wing politics.  Among the business elite have left the rustic.  

But Chavez has won strong support among Venezuela's poor with the aid of oil revenue to spice up social programs.  Again, Michael Shifter:

"Chavez, despite the dismal results and terrible governance, still has an impressive and emotional reference to lots of Venezuelans," he said. "Many Venezuelans, poor Venezuelans especially, think, believe, that he cares about them.  And he's seeking to do the correct he can.”

Chavez faces his toughest opponent yet in Henrique Capriles, who vows to continue the social programs that  Chavez started while moving the rustic toward a more market-oriented economy.

But many believe the result of the election will hinge at the president's health.  Some question why he has refused to step aside while undergoing cancer treatment.  He hasn't ever disclosed the important points of his illness.

Political psychologist and psychiatrist Jerrold Post says Chavez is the quintessential narcissist who can’t come to terms along with his mortality.

"He has increasingly come to determine himself because the very essence of Venezuela," said Post. "Just as Castro is Cuba, Cuba, Castro.  Chavez is Venezuela, Venezuela is Chavez in his mind.  And it's inconceivable to have a Venezuela without him at its head.”

Dr. Post says Venezuela is entering a damaging period.  He believes Chavez has imposed his timetable at the nation and needs to secure his legacy in both Venezuelan and Latin American history.

"Were his opponent to be moving ahead within the polls, i suspect this is quite possible he could take violent action against his opponent," he said. "But what i believe is most vital, and that i can’t predict exactly how he'll act, is this is a guy under immense stress.”

Chavez' current round of radiation therapy is anticipated to take 4 to five weeks.  He has refused to relinquish any authority to his subordinates and may travel backward and forward to Cuba for treatment.

From WhatNewsToday.net

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