Maduro has presided over an implosion of once wealthy oil producer Venezuela's economy since taking office in 2013Maduro, the political heir to the late leftist firebrand Hugo Chavez, has presided over an implosion of once wealthy oil producer Venezuela's economy since taking office in 2013. Maduro, with a tight grip on the electoral and military authorities, faces a bitterly divided opposition which has called for a boycott. Aware of the popular mood, Maduro Saturday promised an "economic revolution" if re-elected. Falcon promised to dollarize the economy, return companies expropriated by Chavez and allow humanitarian aid, something rejected by Maduro. "The most likely scenario is greater international isolation and economic deterioration," said Diego Moya-Ocampos of IHS Markit analysts.

Source: Bangkok Post May 20, 2018 05:15 UTC