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.
Last week the government was forced to deny reports that he had died, blaming the rumour on "far-right fascists" who wanted to destabilise the country.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The opposition, angered by the president's prolonged absence from office, organised protests in the Venezuelan capital at the weekend demanding that the government release "the truth" about the socialist leader's condition.
In response yesterday, the government insisted that Chavez was still ruling the country from his hospital bed, but admitted that his condition was now "very delicate".
"Today there is a worsening of his respiratory function, related to his depressed immune system. There is now a new, severe infection," said information minister Ernesto Villegas. "The commander-president remains clinging to Christ and to life."
The New York Times said the update was "one of the bleakest" since Chavez was diagnosed with an unspecified cancer in 2011. Since then he has had surgery four times.
As the Daily Telegraph reports, Chavez's government "has never disclosed the exact nature, location or severity of the cancer, saying only that it was in the pelvic region".
Venezuela possesses the world's largest proven oil reserves. Chavez has already chosen his successor, Vice President Nicolas Maduro, who insists that Chavez is "in good spirits" though breathing with the aid of a tracheal tube.
Chavez was re-elected president in October last year but was unable to attend his January inauguration. If he dies or stands down, a new election will pit Maduro standing against opposition candidate Henrique Capriles.
The Washington Post reports that the campaigning has already begun, with Maduro "frequently commandeering all broadcast channels Chavez-style to tout the 'revolution' and vilify the opposition".
-
The Week Unwrapped: Are British rappers the world’s best?Podcast Plus can the Maldives quit smoking? And can whales lead us to immortality?
-
The week’s best photosIn Pictures A leap through the leaves, a typhoon's aftermath, and more
-
Microsoft pursues digital intelligence ‘aligned to human values’ in shift from OpenAIUNDER THE RADAR The iconic tech giant is jumping into the AI game with a bold new initiative designed to place people first in the search for digital intelligence
-
Nigeria confused by Trump invasion threatSpeed Read Trump has claimed the country is persecuting Christians
-
What is Donald Trump planning in Latin America?Today’s Big Question US ramps up feud with Colombia over drug trade, while deploying military in the Caribbean to attack ships and increase tensions with Venezuela
-
Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
