Speculation in Caracas abounds as President Hugo Chávez completes his first week after returning to Venezuela. An extended period of illness left the government in a precarious state, and expectations for a new election will see Chávez pitted against a coalition leader, Henrique Capriles. Political forecasts favor the incumbent, however, despite Capriles' support of more than 30 opposition parties.

President Hugo Chávez spent his first week back in Venezuela too frail to be seen in public and too weak to receive well wishers. But despite his precarious health, few doubt Chávez’s prowess at the ballot box. And that’s reviving tensions among a battered opposition at a time when many are expecting new elections.

The alliance of about 30 opposition parties known as the MUD has begun the process of trying to choose an eventual Chávez successor.

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