FYI, in a recent Credit Suisse Review (Emerging Markets: Sept 14, 2011) there is a good section on their view of the pending Venezuela economic, political and investment climate. It includes comments on Chavez's health and an increasing possibility of a 2012 Opposition victory, and possible investment impact. (Pages 59-63)

http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=%2Bsuccession%20%2B%22investment%20climate%22%20%2Bchavez%20%2B%22september%202011%22&source=web&cd=1&sqi=2&ved=0CBkQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoc.research-and-analytics.csfb.com%2FdocView%3Flanguage%3DENG%26source%3Dulg%26format%3DPDF%26document_id%3D913025241%26serialid%3DxfugwdKns4y6h650EHyIWQHhg6d9xgPqeJvS1vBoPHI%253D&ei=hA2FTr_wNKPniALb_aXpBg&usg=AFQjCNEpQfRnyzcWlZJhH04wUXYtIf9ydw