Venezuela VP: Chávez facing 'complex and difficult' recovery

Posted on Wednesday, 12.12.12

Venezuela VP: Chávez facing 'complex and difficult' recovery

As Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez recovers from cancer surgery,
authorities say the nation needs to be prepared if he cannot assume
power Jan. 10.
BY JIM WYSS
jwyss@MiamiHerlad.com

BOGOTA -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez is likely to face a "complex
and difficult" recovery after undergoing surgery in Cuba for recurring
cancer, Vice President Nicolás Maduro told the nation Wednesday, casting
doubt on the 58-year-old leader's ability to take office Jan. 10.

In a televised address, a somber-looking Maduro said the surgery had
been "complex, difficult [and] delicate," but that Chávez was in the
process of recovering.

"We trust that with the help of God we are going to be victorious," he
said. "And that sooner rather than later we will have our president here."

The administration did not say when Chávez would return to Venezuela, or
whether he will be ready to begin a new six-year term next month, but
Minister of Information Ernesto Villegas said the nation needs to be
prepared for all eventualities.

"We trust that, with the love of millions, the Commander will respond
quickly and return before January 10," Villegas wrote on the ministry's
website. "But if not, the nation needs to be prepared to understand it.
It would be irresponsible to cover up how delicate the situation is now
and will be in the days to come."

Chávez traveled to Cuba early Monday to undergo a fourth round of
surgery to treat an undisclosed form of cancer he has been battling
since at least June 2011. Before leaving, Chávez anointed Maduro his
political successor and asked the nation to rally behind the former
union leader who has strong ties to Cuba.

If Chávez were unable to take office, or be incapacitated within the
first four years of his new term, it would trigger snap elections.

Flanked by National Assembly President Diosdado Cabello and Oil Minister
Rafael Ramírez, Maduro said he would keep the nation "accurately
informed and prepared" about Chávez's recovery.

But he also called on detractors to quit "speculating" and "lying" about
the president's condition.

"Stop with your hate against President Chávez. Stop with your vicious
attacks," he said.

Social networks and websites have been in overdrive for weeks with
theories about Chávez's health. The rumors have found traction, because
the administration has never said what type of cancer he has or what
organs are being affected.

In power since 1999, the socialist firebrand has survived four
elections, a recall attempt and one coup. Since announcing that doctors
had removed a baseball-sized tumor from his pelvis last year, he has
undergone chemotherapy and radiation treatment, but always bounced back.
Many of his supporters in the oil-rich nation say they cannot imagine
Venezuela without their charismatic leader.

On Wednesday, Villegas tried to put the situation in context.

"The president is a human being," Villegas wrote. "This is like having a
sick father in a very delicate situation after undergoing four surgeries
in a year and a half."

The news comes as Chávez's PSUV party is hoping to sweep Sunday's
regional elections to choose 23 governors.

Despite worries that the vote might be delayed or cancelled, Maduro said
everything was in order.

"We hope that Sunday's elections will be a festival of participation,"
he said. "That's what our commander Chávez wants."

http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/12/12/3139045/venezuela-vp-chavez-facing-complex.html