The slow decline of Hugo Chavez's health will prevent him from swearing in for a third consecutive term as president of Venezuela. Chavez will continue as president despite the illegality of the situation. Venezuela's National Assembly will back the decision, an example of dubious management that characterizes a country that has been mired in economic trouble for the past fourteen years.
Venezuela, where the opposing party has a majority at this time, should do away with bolivarismo, a strain of populism that splits its population in half politically, and return a form of democracy that guarantees constitutional rights and propels economic development.
To make up for Chavez's mistakes will take time, but the nation's strong petroleum industry could drive the changes that need to happy quickly.
