Headed to Cuba, Chavez delegates some duties
By IAN JAMES and FABIOLA SANCHEZ
Associated Press
CARACAS, Venezuela -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez delegated some of
his duties to his vice president and another aide Saturday as he
prepared to return to Cuba for cancer treatment.
Chavez had refused opposition demands that he temporarily cede power to
Vice President Elias Jaua while undergoing chemotherapy in Havana. But
shortly after a legislative vote approving his trip, Chavez announced at
a televised Cabinet meeting that the vice president and his planning
minister would temporarily take on extra responsibilities.
He said Jaua would oversee budget transfers to government ministries,
presidential commissions, any expropriations of businesses and other
budget-related responsibilities. The president said Planning and Finance
Minister Jorge Giordani would deal with matters including budget
shortfalls and certain tax exemptions.
Chavez denied that he was in any way ceding his functions as president.
But he said that if his physical capacities were diminished, "I would be
the first in doing what the constitution says" in delegating functions
to the vice president.
He said his decision to delegate some of his duties was a result of
"deep reflection" as he has fought cancer. He said he planned to travel
to Cuba later Saturday and would return soon but didn't specify how long
he would be away.
The 56-year-old's cancer diagnosis has thrown uncertainty into
Venezuela's political landscape. Chavez, who has held dominant power
during more than 12 years in office, has said he's confident he will
rebound but has also admitted a long road to recovery remains.
Chavez underwent surgery in Cuba on June 20 to remove a cancerous tumor,
which he has said was the size of a baseball. He hasn't said what type
of cancer he was diagnosed with nor specified where exactly it was
located, saying only that it was in his pelvic region.
Chavez announced his decision on delegating some duties shortly after
the National Assembly approved his request to travel to Cuba.
The unanimous vote followed a passionate debate in which opposition
politicians said they supported the president's right to receive
treatment but disputed his plan to remain in charge while in Havana.
Opposition lawmakers also demanded more information about his illness.
As the debate was under way, Chavez appeared on television and
interjected himself into the debate. While he appeared on a split screen
with the lawmakers' listening, he dismissed his opponents' arguments as
"bordering on ridiculousness."
"I will come back much better than I am right now," Chavez said.
Opposition lawmakers, who hold a minority of seats in the National
Assembly, said they believed that Chavez's request constituted a
"temporary absence" and that the president owed the country a more
detailed explanation of how serious his illness is.
"Let him go to Cuba," opposition lawmaker Alfonso Marquina said during
the debate. "But we also demand compliance with the constitution ... so
that he doesn't continue governing from Havana, Cuba."
Under Venezuela's constitution, the vice president may take the
president's place during temporary absences of up to 90 days, which the
National Assembly may extend for 90 days more for a total of about six
months.
Pro-Chavez lawmaker Cilia Flores disputed the opposition's argument,
saying that the National Assembly was simply granting Chavez permission
to be away for more than five days and that he would remain in charge.
"The constitution is explicit," she said.
Chavez's congressional allies clapped and chanted: "Onward commander!"
The National Assembly convened the special session a day after Chavez
announced his plan to fly back to Cuba, where he spent much of June
undergoing surgeries to remove an abscess and the tumor. Chavez has been
in Caracas since he made a surprise return from Cuba on July 4.
"Undoubtedly, the opposition will see his return to Cuba as a further
sign of frailty," said Miguel Tinker Salas, a Latin American studies
professor at Pomona College in Claremont, California. "Among his
supporters, it might have the opposite outcome, serving to rally support
and close ranks.
"His continued or repeated absence could, however, generate fissures
across the entire political spectrum," Tinker Salas said. "Long-term,
his absence on the national and international stage will have an impact
and generates a political vacuum that the opposition and those within
his own ranks will have a difficult time filling."
Since coming to power in 1999, Chavez has launched sweeping
socialist-inspired changes, built alliances with Latin America's leftist
leaders and frequently clashed with the U.S. government, although
Venezuela still relies on income from oil sales to the United States,
which remains its top client.
The leftist leader is up for re-election in late 2012. During his nearly
two-week stay in Caracas, Chavez rallied supporters, addressed troops
and generally sought to reassure Venezuelans that he was firmly in
control in spite of his illness.
He also reminded Venezuelans of the challenges he faces, often saying he
is fighting for his life and is under doctors' orders to not overexert
himself.
In one of several messages posted on his Twitter account Saturday,
Chavez said: "I'm fighting like never before, and I promise you I will
live and we will be victorious!"
Chavez acknowledged on Wednesday for the first time that he expected to
undergo chemotherapy or radiation treatment, which he said would "armor
the body against new malignant cells."
Chemotherapy is used to treat any tumor that has spread or to kill stray
cancerous cells that might seed a new tumor.
"He's essentially probably getting these treatments in the hopes of
preventing any recurrence of the disease," said Dr. Michael Pishvaian, a
cancer specialist at Georgetown University's Lombardi Comprehensive
Cancer Center who was not involved in the Venezuelan leader's treatment.
"The idea is to try to eradicate any microscopic disease that might be
present."
Chavez said Friday that he still had a lot to live for.
"I have faith in God, in medical science, and in our Cuban, Venezuelan
doctors ... and lastly in myself and this will to live - to live for our
people, to live for my daughters, to live for my grandchildren," Chavez
said. "To live for myself also. Why not?"
Ian James on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ianjamesap
http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/15/v-fullstory/2316331/perus-new-leader-humala-visits.html
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