Ian James

Read the latest stories and analysis from Ian James.

A supporter of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez celebrates his return at Bolivar Square in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, Feb. 18, 2013. Chavez returned to Venezuela early Monday after more than two months of treatment in Cuba following cancer surgery, his government said, triggering street celebrations by supporters who welcomed him home while he remained out of sight at the Carlos Arvelo Military Hospital in Caracas, where he will continue his treatment. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Ailing Hugo Chavez returns to Venezuela from Cuba

Fabiola Sanchez, Ian James · February 18, 2013 5:00 am

Venezuela congress chief to visit Chavez in Cuba

Ian James · January 28, 2013 1:03 am

A supporter of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez wears sunglasses decorated with the eyes of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez at a rally in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013. The cult of personality that Chavez long nurtured has been flourishing like never before as he confronts an increasingly difficult struggle against the mysterious cancer that afflicts him. The iconic eyes-only design sends a message that he is always watching and still with his adoring constituents. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Absent but omnipresent, Hugo Chavez a powerful symbol

Ian James · January 24, 2013 5:00 am

A picture of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez is held up alongside an image of Jesus Christ at a rally by Chavez supporters in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013. The government organized the unusual show of support for the cancer-stricken leader on the streets outside Miraflores Palace on what was supposed to be his inauguration day. The Supreme Court on Wednesday backed the plan to put off the inauguration indefinitely, saying the president could be sworn in before the court at a later date. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Venezuela holds symbolic inauguration for Hugo Chavez

Ian James, Christopher Toothaker · January 10, 2013 5:00 am

In this photo provided by Venezuela's Ministry of the Interior and Justice Press Office, a member of Venezuela's National Civil Aviation Institute looks out at the ocean during the search for a plane that went missing near Los Roques, Venezuela, Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013. The search for a missing plane carrying Italian fashion executive Vittorio Missoni and five other people has entered its third straight day on Sunday with no signs of the aircraft. The small, twin-engine plane was reported missing hours after taking off Friday from Los Roques, a string of islands and islets popular among tourists for their white beaches and coral reefs. (AP Photo/Venezuela Ministry Interior and Justice Office Press)

Venezuela searches for lost plane with Missoni CEO

Ian James · January 7, 2013 5:00 am

Missoni scion on plane missing in Venezuela

Ian James, Frances D'emilio · January 5, 2013 5:00 am

Lawmakers attend a session at the National Assembly in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013. Allies of President Hugo Chavez on Saturday chose to keep Diosdado Cabello as National Assembly president, who is the next in line to step in as a caretaker leader in some circumstances. Chavez's allies hold a majority of the 165 congressional seats. Cabello is sitting at the very top center. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Hugo Chavez’s allies re-elect legislative chief

Fabiola Sanchez, Ian James · January 5, 2013 5:00 am

A boy plays behind a poster with an image depicting Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013. The ailing president's health crisis has raised contentious questions ahead of the swearing-in set for Jan. 10, including whether the inauguration could legally be postponed. The ailing president's health crisis has raised contentious questions ahead of the swearing-in set for Jan. 10, including whether the inauguration could legally be postponed. Officials have raised the possibility that Chavez might not be well enough to take the oath of office, without saying what will happen if he can't. The constitution says that if a president or president-elect dies or is declared unable to continue in office, presidential powers should be held temporarily by the president of the National Assembly and that a new presidential vote should be held within 30 days. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Disputes brewing over Hugo Chavez’s inauguration

Ian James, Christopher Toothaker · January 3, 2013 5:00 am

A woman holds an image of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez as people gather to pray for him at a church in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, Dec. 31, 2012. Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez is confronting "new complications" due to a respiratory infection nearly three weeks after undergoing cancer surgery, his Vice President Nicolas Maduro said Sunday evening in Cuba as he visited the ailing leader for the first time since his operation. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Venezuela opposition: Hugo Chavez secrecy feeds rumors

Ian James · January 2, 2013 5:00 am

A mural represents the eyes of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, Dec. 31, 2012. Chavez is confronting "new complications" due to a respiratory infection nearly three weeks after undergoing cancer surgery, his Vice President Nicolas Maduro said Sunday evening in Cuba as he visited the ailing leader for the first time since his operation. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Chavez suffers new complications in cancer fight

Ian James · January 1, 2013 12:40 am

FILE - In this Dec. 8, 2012, file photo released by Miraflores Press Office, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, left, holds up a copy of the Venezuelan national constitution as his Vice President Nicolas Maduro looks on during a televised speech at Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela. Chavez has suffered "new complications" following his cancer surgery in Cuba, Maduro said Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, describing the Venezuelan leader's condition as delicate. (AP Photo/Miraflores Press Office, Marcelo Garcia, file)

Venezuela VP: Chavez suffers ‘new complications’

Ian James · December 31, 2012 4:32 am

Iconic T-shirts styled with images of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez are displayed for sale next to a T-shirt of Venezuelan musician Ali Primera, in Caracas, Venezuela, Friday, Dec. 28, 2012. The obsessive, circular conversations about Chavez's health dominate family dinners, plaza chit-chats and social media sites in this country on edge since its larger-than-life leader went to Cuba for emergency cancer surgery more than two weeks ago. The man whose booming voice once dominated the airwaves for hours at a time has not been seen or heard from since.(AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Venezuela VP: Hugo Chavez suffers ‘new complications’

Ian James · December 30, 2012 5:00 am