Nearly half Venezuela‘s voters don’t want Nicolas Maduro in the presidential chair. He’s inherited a dysfunctional economy, a deteriorating power grid and one of the world’s highest homicide rates. And a glimmer of discontent already has surfaced in the movement of Hugo Chavez, who picked him to carry on the socialist revolution.
Maduro was certified the winner of a disputed presidential election Monday amid questions about his ability to lead after he squandered a double-digit lead in the race despite an outpouring of sympathy following Chavez’s death.
Even before he deals with Venezuela‘s mounting problems, Maduro faces a challenge to his victory.
Opposition leader Henrique Capriles demanded a recount of Sunday’s election that he narrowly lost. As the National Electoral Council proclaimed Maduro the victor, people stood on their balconies in Caracas apartment buildings banging pots and pans in protest. Across town, thousands of students briefly clashed with National Guard troops who fired tear gas and plastic bullets.
The tensions persisted through the evening. Residents resumed their pot-banging as Maduro held a news conference, some pouring out into the streets.
In the city center, a divided district, government supporters tried to drown out the noise by setting off deafening firecrackers. Some drove trucks with megaphones, shouting pro-Chavista slogans through megaphones. Pedestrians shouted “Chavez lives! Maduro continues!”
Anti-Maduro protests also broke out in other regions, including Chavez’s home state of Barinas.
Late Tuesday, Maduro announced he had met with a newly created “anti-coup” command at the military museum that holds Chavez’s remains. He accused opposition protesters of attacking government clinics and the house of electoral council President Tibisay Lucena, without offering details. He said the government was investigating a possible death.
Maduro isn’t without strengths. The presidency was made immensely stronger by the charismatic Chavez during his 14 years in power, and the ruling socialists will dominate the National Assembly for at least two more years.
Government leaders and military leaders closed ranks around Maduro on Monday in a series of television appearances to defend the official vote count and accuse Capriles of trying to foment violence.
Still, hours before the show of unity, a key Chavista leader showed a flash of discontent.
From: http://feeds.foxnews.com/~r/foxnews/world/~3/chy1H05FZ8M/
