Venezuela presidential race begins amid personal attacks and tension

BOGOTA — Drugs, lies and murder plots. Venezuela’s compressed presidential campaign officially begins Tuesday in a race that will determine the future of the Andean nation after the death of President Hugo Chávez, who led the country for 14 years. But the accusations and innuendos being hurled between the two main candidates are threatening to turn this into one of the uglier races in recent memory.
At stake is Chávez’s legacy and the future of his socialist policies that have helped reduce poverty and close the income gap even as draconian measures have led to food shortages, runaway inflation and eroding civil liberties.
Acting President Nicolás Maduro, 50, has vowed to win the April 14 vote as a tribute to his ex-boss and advance his “Bolivarian Revolution.” And most polls give him a solid lead, as he rides the wave of sympathy generated by Chávez’s death on March 5.