Ian James

Read the latest stories and analysis from Ian James.

Sympathy for Hugo Chavez a factor in Venezuela politics

Fabiola Sanchez, Ian James · December 17, 2012 5:00 am

A woman holds a candle as she reacts during a vigil in support of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012. Chavez is recovering favorably despite suffering complications during cancer surgery in Cuba, his vice president Nicolas Maduro said Thursday amid uncertainty over the Venezuelan leader's health crisis and the country's political future. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Some Venezuelans see ‘Chavismo’ struggles brewing

Ian James · December 15, 2012 12:37 am

A woman holds a trio of images showing Venezuelan St. Jose Gregorio Hernandez, top, renowned as the ``Doctor of the Poor''; a laminated holy card of Jesus Christ; and an image of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, right, at a church service where supporters of the ailing president gathered to pray for his health, in Caracas,Venezuela, Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012. Venezuelans were warned that Chavez may not be well enough after his fourth cancer-related surgery in Cuba to be inaugurated on Jan. 10. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

VP: Chavez recovery favorable after complications

Ian James · December 14, 2012 12:39 am

A person holds up an image of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez during a demonstration in support of him at the Simon Bolivar square in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday Dec. 9, 2012. Chavez was heading back to Cuba on Sunday for more cancer surgery after announcing that the illness returned despite two previous operations, chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Chavez said Saturday that if there are "circumstances that prevent me from exercising the presidency further" Vice-President Nicolas Maduro should replace him for the remainder of his term. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Chavez faces new cancer battle, another operation

Ian James · December 10, 2012 5:00 am

A woman holds a picture of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez as supporters gather at Simon Bolivar square in Caracas,Venezuela, Sunday Dec. 9, 2012. Chavez is to return to Cuba Sunday for another surgery in his battle against cancer, which has led him to speak publicly of a successor for the first time. Chavez said Saturday that if there are "circumstances that prevent me from exercising the presidency further" Vice-President Nicolas Maduro should replace him for the remainder of his term.(AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Chavez faces new cancer battle, surgery in Cuba

Ian James · December 10, 2012 3:07 am

FILE - In this Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012 file photo, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, during a press conference at the Miraflores palace in Caracas, Venezuela. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has arrived back home in Caracas after 10 days of medical treatment in Cuba. State television showed images of Chavez arriving at Caracas' airport early Friday, Dec. 7, 2012, and walking down the steps of the presidential jet. (AP Photo/Nicolas Garcia, File)

Venezuela’s Chavez says cancer back, plans surgery

Ian James · December 9, 2012 5:10 am

Venezuela's Vice-President Nicolas Maduro, who would take Hugo Chavez's place, if needed, as Venezuela's leader and continue his socialist movement. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia, File)

Hugo Chavez faces new cancer battle, surgery in Cuba

Ian James · December 9, 2012 5:00 am

In this photo released by Miraflores Press Office, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, left, speaks with his Defense Minister Diego Molero upon his arrival to Simon Bolivar airport in Maiquetia, near Caracas. Venezuela, Friday, Dec. 7, 2012. Chavez arrived back home in Caracas after 10 days of medical treatment in Cuba. (AP Photo/Miraflores Press Office, Marcelo Garcia)

Chavez back in Venezuela after Cuba treatment

Ian James · December 7, 2012 11:20 pm

In this photo taken Nov 15, 2012, scientist Francisco Betancourt points to a high quality selection of cacao beans at a cacao plantation in Cano Rico, Venezuela. Cacao pods that ripen in the forest-shaded plantations of Venezuela are transformed into some of the world's finest chocolate. The crop is converted into gourmet bars and exported to the United States, Europe and Japan by the country's premier chocolate maker, Chocolates El Rey, or The King. As the company has won international acclaim, it has also had to cope with a host of obstacles brought on by President Hugo Chavez's government. El Rey used to go through just four bureaucratic steps to export a shipment. Now the list of requirements has grown to more than 50. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Venezuela chocolate king thrives despite controls

Ian James · December 4, 2012 6:53 pm

A newspaper vendor sells dailies with the front page showing President Barack Obama that reads in Spanish "Obama Wins" one day after U.S. elections in Mexico City, Wednesday Nov. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

Obama victory a relief for Latin American left

Ian James · November 7, 2012 5:00 am

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez waves a Venezuelan flag as he greets supporters at the Miraflores presidential palace balcony in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. Chavez won re-election and a new endorsement of his socialist project Sunday, surviving his closest race yet after a bitter campaign against opposition candidate Henrique Capriles.(AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Re-elected Chavez faces likely economic reckoning

Ian James, Frank Bajak · October 8, 2012 4:00 am

Residents wait in line at a polling station to vote in the presidential election in the Catia neighborhood of Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. President Hugo Chavez is running for re-election against opposition candidate Henrique Capriles. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Wait begins after huge turnout in Venezuela vote

Ian James, Frank Bajak · October 7, 2012 4:00 am