US Intel chief: PSUV will have a hard time replacing Chávez

US Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said in a written testimony to the Senate Intelligence Committee that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez "announced that he is cancer-free, but there are still doubts about his health."

According to the intelligence chief, "there is no other leader (in Venezuela) who can match his (Chávez's) charisma, force of personality, or ability to manipulate politics and policy should he be unable to run again," Efe reported.

"His failure to groom others to lead his United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) means that any successor would lack his stature," he added.

Clapper also said that as a result of Venezuelan presidential election in 2012, the political environment will become "highly competitive and polarized."

"Once the election campaign begins in February 2012, the electorate will be seeking solutions for the country's 25 percent inflation, widespread food and energy shortages, and soaring crime and homicide rates," the text reads.

The abovementioned document is a testimony that Clapper sent to the Senate Intelligence Committee to assess external threats to the United States.