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| Hugo Chávez stable and recovering after fourth cancer operation | Hugo Chávez stable and recovering after fourth cancer operation |
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| Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez suffered bleeding during his cancer surgery in Cuba that required "corrective measures" to stanch the flow, his government said Thursday. | Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez suffered bleeding during his cancer surgery in Cuba that required "corrective measures" to stanch the flow, his government said Thursday. |
| But in the latest of a series of unusually frank reports about the president's delicate condition, information minister Ernesto Villegas also said Chávez has been making a "progressive and favourable" recovery after the complications from Tuesday's surgery. | But in the latest of a series of unusually frank reports about the president's delicate condition, information minister Ernesto Villegas also said Chávez has been making a "progressive and favourable" recovery after the complications from Tuesday's surgery. |
| "This recovery process, nevertheless, will require a prudent period of time as a consequence of the complexity of the surgery performed," Villegas added. | "This recovery process, nevertheless, will require a prudent period of time as a consequence of the complexity of the surgery performed," Villegas added. |
| The government has begun providing regular updates on the president's recovery after the six-hour surgery in what appears to be a slight easing of the secrecy that has surrounded Chávez's medical treatment since he fell ill last year. | The government has begun providing regular updates on the president's recovery after the six-hour surgery in what appears to be a slight easing of the secrecy that has surrounded Chávez's medical treatment since he fell ill last year. |
| The latest details about Chávez's health came as supporters held church services to pray for him and as Venezuelans increasingly acknowledged that their country might be on the verge of political change if the leftist leader cannot be sworn in for his fourth term early next year. | The latest details about Chávez's health came as supporters held church services to pray for him and as Venezuelans increasingly acknowledged that their country might be on the verge of political change if the leftist leader cannot be sworn in for his fourth term early next year. |
| Chávez he had not groomed any clear successor until he announced over the weekend that if cancer cuts short his presidency he wants his vice-president, Nicolas Maduro, to take over. | Chávez he had not groomed any clear successor until he announced over the weekend that if cancer cuts short his presidency he wants his vice-president, Nicolas Maduro, to take over. |
| Some Venezuelans say they think battles over power may already be brewing within the president's diverse "Chavismo" movement, which includes groups from radical leftists to moderates. Maduro heads a civilian political wing that is closely aligned with Cuba's communist government. National Assembly president Diosdado Cabello, a former military officer, is thought to wield power within the military. | Some Venezuelans say they think battles over power may already be brewing within the president's diverse "Chavismo" movement, which includes groups from radical leftists to moderates. Maduro heads a civilian political wing that is closely aligned with Cuba's communist government. National Assembly president Diosdado Cabello, a former military officer, is thought to wield power within the military. |
| "In politics, everything is possible," said Gustavo Chourio, a bookseller in downtown Caracas. "Maduro doesn't have influence with those in the military. Diosdado has the influence." | "In politics, everything is possible," said Gustavo Chourio, a bookseller in downtown Caracas. "Maduro doesn't have influence with those in the military. Diosdado has the influence." |
| Some analysts say struggles for control seem inevitable. "What's likely to happen is a power struggle between Maduro and Cabello," said Michael Shifter, president of the Inter-American Dialogue thinktank in Washington. "It is almost certain that an intense power struggle is already under way within Chavismo." | Some analysts say struggles for control seem inevitable. "What's likely to happen is a power struggle between Maduro and Cabello," said Michael Shifter, president of the Inter-American Dialogue thinktank in Washington. "It is almost certain that an intense power struggle is already under way within Chavismo." |
| Shifter said key protagonists in the president's camp, including Maduro and Cabello, have long had to suppress their own personal ambitions and leave all decision-making to Chávez. | Shifter said key protagonists in the president's camp, including Maduro and Cabello, have long had to suppress their own personal ambitions and leave all decision-making to Chávez. |
| "With Chávez no longer on the scene, and the power vacuum exposed, the situation becomes extremely unpredictable," Shifter said. "The fact that Maduro is Chávez's designated successor gives him the upper hand for the time being, but that is unlikely to last long. The others vying for power are wily and ruthless. From the outset, the Chávez regime has been about power including lots of money and now all of that is up for grabs." | "With Chávez no longer on the scene, and the power vacuum exposed, the situation becomes extremely unpredictable," Shifter said. "The fact that Maduro is Chávez's designated successor gives him the upper hand for the time being, but that is unlikely to last long. The others vying for power are wily and ruthless. From the outset, the Chávez regime has been about power including lots of money and now all of that is up for grabs." |
| Maduro and Cabello, for their part, projected a united front this week by appearing together at events along with other cabinet ministers and military commanders. Speaking alongside Cabello and others on Wednesday, Maduro said: "We're more united than ever." | Maduro and Cabello, for their part, projected a united front this week by appearing together at events along with other cabinet ministers and military commanders. Speaking alongside Cabello and others on Wednesday, Maduro said: "We're more united than ever." |
| Maduro was sombre-faced as he warned this week that Chávez faced a "complex and hard" recovery period. Villegas has acknowledged that it was possible that the president might not be well enough in time for his inauguration for a new six-week term on January 10. | Maduro was sombre-faced as he warned this week that Chávez faced a "complex and hard" recovery period. Villegas has acknowledged that it was possible that the president might not be well enough in time for his inauguration for a new six-week term on January 10. |
| The government said in its statement that "additional specific treatments are foreseen in order to contribute to the full recovery of his health". | The government said in its statement that "additional specific treatments are foreseen in order to contribute to the full recovery of his health". |
| Health minister Eugenia Sader was also upbeat, telling reporters Chávez was "in excellent condition" and recovering with family and friends. | Health minister Eugenia Sader was also upbeat, telling reporters Chávez was "in excellent condition" and recovering with family and friends. |
| Chávez underwent his fourth cancer-related operation in Havana after announcing that tests had found the illness had come back despite previous operations, chemotherapy and radiation treatments. | Chávez underwent his fourth cancer-related operation in Havana after announcing that tests had found the illness had come back despite previous operations, chemotherapy and radiation treatments. |
| Several outside medical experts have said that based on Chávez's account of his condition and his treatment so far, they doubt that the cancer can be cured. Some cancer experts say Chávez could be suffering from an aggressive type of sarcoma. | Several outside medical experts have said that based on Chávez's account of his condition and his treatment so far, they doubt that the cancer can be cured. Some cancer experts say Chávez could be suffering from an aggressive type of sarcoma. |
| In one of its twice-annual sessions on Thursday, Cuba's parliament unanimously passed a resolution of support for Chávez. | In one of its twice-annual sessions on Thursday, Cuba's parliament unanimously passed a resolution of support for Chávez. |
| "We wish for his quick recovery," said the resolution, according to footage broadcast by state television. "At the same time ... we ratify our unconditional solidarity and support, under any circumstances, for the sister Bolivarian republic of Venezuela in this new battle." | "We wish for his quick recovery," said the resolution, according to footage broadcast by state television. "At the same time ... we ratify our unconditional solidarity and support, under any circumstances, for the sister Bolivarian republic of Venezuela in this new battle." |
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