A new day in Latin America?

These major changes in South America’s political map would have a major impact on Venezuela’s key Dec. 6 legislative elections. They would deprive Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from the support of the region’s biggest countries if he decided to rig the vote. With the economy shrinking by 8 percent this year, a 200 percent inflation rate — the world’s highest — and widespread food shortages, Maduro’s party would almost surely lose a free election, pollsters say. In recent Venezuelan elections, Brazil and Argentina had immediately accepted official results, which were disputed by Venezuela’s opposition. That may not happen this time around. More…