Free Republic

Business and Economics Editor Published 3/13/2002 8:16 PM QUERETARO, Mexico, March 13 (UPI) -- An uneasy calm returns to Venezuela. Beneath it, like water running underground, a host of separate currents are undermining the shaky reign of President Hugo Chávez. A week ago Guaicaipuro Lameda, ex-General, ex-head of the state-run oil company, PdVSA, ex-admirer of Chávez, said that the government's economic policies were condemning the country to worsening poverty and challenged the planning minister, Giordani, to a public debate. In Venezuela the planning ministry, it should be said, is more important than it sounds. The planning minister holds central responsibility...