Hugo Chavez 'clings to life' as successor jostles for power

'Bleak' update on the president's condition comes as his nominated successor Maduro begins electioneering

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VENEZUELAN president Hugo Chavez is battling a "severe" new respiratory infection as he receives chemotherapy at a Caracas military hospital and struggles to recover from cancer surgery.

The 58-year-old returned a fortnight ago after two months of treatment in Cuba. He has not been seen in public this year though photos were released in mid-February showing two daughters at his bedside in Havana.

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