Cubans WORRY About Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s Declining Health

(iWIDK By Dominick Cattarina) - President Hugo Chavez has taken a turn for the worse as people worry about the fate of Venezuela.

Cubans and other who benefit from Venezuela’s aid and natural resourcing are concerned over what will happen when President Chavez dies from cancer.

The Los Angeles Times has reported that as President Chavez tries to recover from cancer treatment, many in the Caribbean and neighboring countries are worried who will replace the socialist leader. Cuba relies heavily on Venezuelan support for energy, food, and other major resources.

This is not the first time Cuba has faced this situation. Since the Cuban revolution in 1959, the Caribbean country relied heavily on Soviet exports to survive. Then, with the fall of communism in Russia, Cuba was left adrift. It was not until Hugo Chavez became President of Venezuela that Cuba found a new patron.

Now, as President Chavez ails in a hospital bed, many Cubans are concerned that they will be cut off once again. If Chavez were to die, then Venezuela will hold a special parliamentary election. Whoever wins the election will most unlikely continue Chavez’s close relationship to Cuba.

Both countries are now facing their own existential questions as their larger-than-life leaders, the Castro brothers in Cuba and Chavez, are going to no longer be in charge. Chavez has been a dominate personality in Venezuela, rising to an almost cult like figure. In Cuba, the Castro brothers saw 10 U.S. Presidents try to get them out of power, but without avail.

What do you think will happen to Cuba and Venezuela when President Hugo Chavez dies?