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Government activity in Latinwing downlie holiday season draws near.
The official results of the Venezuelan ruliorud elccriom were finally announced early this week. After three unsuccessful tries. Rafael Caldcra of Ihe Christian Democratic Party wan elected president-but with onlyercent of the vote. If Caldera is inaugurated onarch as expected, il will be the fin! Umc in Venezuelan history Out political power has passed peacefully from one party to another, and only the second time thai one demociatically elected president has followed another into office.
Guyana is moving ahead with its parliamentary elections set forecember. Prime Minister Bumham stillery good chance of being re-elected, possiblyicar majority. Charges by the opposition parties that Bumham is ngging the election* have enlivened the campaign and forced ihe prime minister to defend his conduct.
The relative peace thai has characterized the Mexican student situation in recent weeks may end soon. Dissident studentsemonstration onecember lo show that they have not abandoned their demands for reform and that Ihey still want amnesty for student loaders imprisoned fur previous disturbances. Presidentrda/ will meet with President John-ion onecember to fc*mauze the realignment of the US-Mexican border, and student leaders reportedly arc preparing propaganda denouncing Diaz Ordaz for "selling out Mexico."
Presidentl Ihe Dominican Republic has publicly said that he will permit exiled Generaley leader of the regular military dunng5 revolt, to return boforeanuary. Balaguei apparently isto forestall an illegal return by Wessin. Although Wetttn would not pOM an immediate threat to Balagucr. his return almost certainly would prove unsettlingime when the political situation is somewhat strained.
President Duviberreacting to rumors of another invasion uf Haiti.placed al! military commanders on special alert and reportedly isto buy aircraft motors from the US to refurbish his decrepitTravel of Haitian exiles in tlie Caribbean has recently increased,is no evidence that
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three unsuccessful tries, Rafael Caldera has become the first Christian Democrat elected to the presidency in Venezuela. If, asColdora is inaugurated onarch, this will ba the first time in Venezuelan history that povor has passed peacefully from one political party to another and only the second time that oneelected president has followed another into office.
Caldera, an outstanding Roman Catholic layman, is politically, professionally, and socially one of the most respocted men in Venezuela. Despite attacks by leftist andextremists, ho is generallya political moderate. In many respects his administration will rosenthls the Democratic Action government of the past ten years, butat least it will be marked by roformist zealigh degree of nationalism.
The Democraticgovernment'spolicies will certainly cone under review. Caldora hasolicyVenezuela tho largest possiblofrom ita petroleum resources. Ha hasthatS)be amployed, and that profits be used to devalop the general economy. His belief that there should be greaterparticipation inand that the industry should be "Venozuolanized" will probably cause some uneasiness among oil companies. It seems unlikely at this time, hovaver, that he will push for outright nationalization, as occurred in Peru in October.
In foreign affairs, Caldera has put high priority on theof new markets for thegoods. The Betancourtof nonrecognition ofregimes in Latinwill probably be dumped Inof commercial and diplomatic relations withofpoliciss. As for tha highly volatile territorial dispute with Guyana, Caldera promises only to resolve it within the framework of friendship and understanding.
The new Christian Democratic government mayittle lesstoward tha US. to pre-election statements, CalderaUS relations must be basedevision of the commercial treaty between the two countries and an end to USon petroleum imports from Venezuela. Nevertheless, Caldera hopes for warm relations with President-elect Nixon.
On internalCaldera will meet present insurgency with
repressive, as well as He hasto reorganize" and unifyovo the USlong
Caldera now faceB the difficult task ofoalitionout of diverse political elements. Hisercent of tho vote, or less than one percent more than thano means givesandate. His task istrong left-wing ole-ment within his own party thatrapid social and economic
change andongress that is so factionallzed that numerous deals will probably be necessary before he can govern effectively.
The big surprise in thiswas the strong showing of ax-dictator Perez Jimenez and his ul-trarightiat political party, the Nationalist Civic Crusade. Porez won election to the Senate and his party woneats inem-ber chambor of Deputies, making it tho fourth largest bloc. Perez, in oxilo in Madrid, is expected to return soon to assume direct com-mand of his party.
Original document.
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