According to a new analysis by LIGNET.com , President Hugo Chavez remains firmly in control of Venezuela and focused on his leftist agenda despite undergoing cancer treatment. The newly unified opposition is better positioned to challenge Chavez, but his popularity and willingness to use all means necessary to win makes him the frontrunner for 2012 elections.

Although he has reduced his public appearances since undergoing treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer, Chavez recently has tried to counter allegations of his failing health and made public policy statements to show his control. Chavez also stated this weekend that he is praying for former Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi and expressed solidarity for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who he says is “resisting imperial aggression.” In recent weeks, Chavez has also nationalized the mining industry in Venezuela, repatriated $11 billion of Venezuelan gold in international financial institutions, and withdrawn from the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes, which is currently hearing several cases against Chavez.

Click HERE to read the full analysis of this story from LIGNET.com , a new Washington, DC-based intelligence analysis and forecasting service.