Venezuela, shaken by two coup attempts last year, sailed smoothly through last week's political crisis that culminated when President Carlos Andres Perez was ordered to stand trial for embezzlement.
The feared violence did not take place.Friday's order may have diminished the likelihood of a coup attempt since the courts did what force could not - remove Perez from power. Dissidents within Venezuela's military tried two coup attempts against Perez last year that left about 400 dead.
No incumbent president has been charged with a crime since this oil-rich country shed a military dictatorship and became a democracy in 1958. As a result, the courts and the provisional government of Octavio Lepage, who was sworn in Friday to replace Perez, must begin pondering where to go from here.
Much remains unresolved.
Should Perez, 70, be allowed to leave the country? The wife of former President Jaime Lusinchi, under investigation for influence peddling charges, was, and is safely ensconced in Costa Rica, which won't give her back. The countries have no extradition treaty.
Should his assets be frozen? The attorney general hasn't said. Perez is accused of diverting the equivalent of $17.2 million.
Perez apparently will not go to jail even if convicted. The constitution says a person 70 or older can serve jail sentences under house arrest.
How long can Lepage serve before an interim president is named?
Supreme Court President Gonzalo Rodriguez Corro said the law does not specify the nature of Perez's suspension. Thus, it is unclear how long Congress has before it must pick an interim president. The period could last anywhere from 30 to more than 90 days.
Gonzalo said the court would tackle the issue if asked.
Lepage also must form a Cabinet for what probably will be a short administration. All 17 members resigned shortly before the Supreme Court indicted Perez on Thursday. Five have said they won't serve under Lepage and he has said he can do without at least some of the remaining 12.
He met Saturday with several of the former ministers and armed forces commanders.
Despite his claim to the longer provisional term, Lepage, an unsuccessful presidential contender in 1988, says he has put aside the aspiration.
"Now it is up to me to take over the presidency but I didn't look for it or want it or fight for it," he said.
Technically Perez remains president, but powerless, until he is convicted or his five-year term ends Feb. 2. His authority will be restored if he is acquitted.
The Supreme Court will conduct his trial but no date has been set.
Perez received supportive phone calls Friday from a dozen heads of state, mostly in Latin America, aides said. "I'll be back," he told supporters.
On Friday afternoon, employees of the presidential palace moved Perez's books and personal papers to La Casona, the official residence, where Perez will remain.
Press reports said his last presidential act was to pardon a Spanish priest sentenced to five years in prison for drug trafficking.