US Seeking Renewed Venezuela Ties After Chavez 1/9/13
Associated Press
January 9, 2013
WASHINGTON (AP) - With President Hugo Chavez possibly in his last days, the United States is hoping for a long-sought reset in relations with Venezuela.
Chavez recently underwent his fourth cancer-related surgery in Cuba and there is wide speculation that the 58-year-old - at the very least - will never again be able to govern.
The Obama administration is hoping that the end of Chavez's 14-year rule would help the U.S. and Venezuela re-establish a pragmatic relationship.
State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said Wednesday: "If the Venezuelan government and if the Venezuelan people want to move forward with us, we think there is a path that's possible."