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| Hugo Chavez suffers 'complications' after surgery | Hugo Chavez suffers 'complications' after surgery |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Venezuela's President, Hugo Chavez, is suffering from "complications" brought on by a "severe lung infection" which developed after surgery, officials say. | Venezuela's President, Hugo Chavez, is suffering from "complications" brought on by a "severe lung infection" which developed after surgery, officials say. |
| Mr Chavez, 58, had his fourth operation for cancer in Cuba on 11 December and then developed a respiratory infection. | Mr Chavez, 58, had his fourth operation for cancer in Cuba on 11 December and then developed a respiratory infection. |
| In a statement from Caracas, Information Minister Ernesto Villegas said the infection had "led to a respiratory insufficiency". | In a statement from Caracas, Information Minister Ernesto Villegas said the infection had "led to a respiratory insufficiency". |
| Mr Chavez is due to be sworn in for another term in office on 10 January. | Mr Chavez is due to be sworn in for another term in office on 10 January. |
| "[Mr] Chavez has faced complications as a consequence of a severe lung infection," said Mr Villegas. | "[Mr] Chavez has faced complications as a consequence of a severe lung infection," said Mr Villegas. |
| 'Psychological war' | 'Psychological war' |
| The president has not been seen in public since having cancer surgery in Havana, prompting persistent speculation about his condition. | The president has not been seen in public since having cancer surgery in Havana, prompting persistent speculation about his condition. |
| Venezuela's government insists it is doing its duty in keeping people informed on the health of Hugo Chavez, angry at persistent rumours that the president's condition is worse than it is reporting. | Venezuela's government insists it is doing its duty in keeping people informed on the health of Hugo Chavez, angry at persistent rumours that the president's condition is worse than it is reporting. |
| But this latest statement confirms only that Mr Chavez has breathing difficulties, following what it now calls a "severe lung infection": There is still no word on his prognosis, or - crucially - on plans for next week's presidential inauguration. | But this latest statement confirms only that Mr Chavez has breathing difficulties, following what it now calls a "severe lung infection": There is still no word on his prognosis, or - crucially - on plans for next week's presidential inauguration. |
| What does seem clear, by its omission, is that there has been no obvious improvement since the last report, so it must now be very unlikely that Mr Chavez can be sworn back into office on 10 January. We can only assume that the looming power vacuum is what drew National Assembly President Diosdado Cabello to Havana on Thursday, joining Vice President Maduro at Mr Chavez's bedside. | What does seem clear, by its omission, is that there has been no obvious improvement since the last report, so it must now be very unlikely that Mr Chavez can be sworn back into office on 10 January. We can only assume that the looming power vacuum is what drew National Assembly President Diosdado Cabello to Havana on Thursday, joining Vice President Maduro at Mr Chavez's bedside. |
| On his return, Mr Cabello insisted: "We know what we will do." But so far, nobody else seems to. | On his return, Mr Cabello insisted: "We know what we will do." But so far, nobody else seems to. |
| The information minister was among a number of Mr Chavez's political allies who have urged people not to believe what they called lies about his health. | The information minister was among a number of Mr Chavez's political allies who have urged people not to believe what they called lies about his health. |
| Mr Villegas warned Venezuelans not to be taken in by a "psychological war" being fought in the media which had the "ultimate aim of destabilising the Bolivarian republic". | Mr Villegas warned Venezuelans not to be taken in by a "psychological war" being fought in the media which had the "ultimate aim of destabilising the Bolivarian republic". |
| Vice-President Nicolas Maduro and National Assembly Head Diosdado Cabello visited Mr Chavez this week, along with several other dignitaries. | Vice-President Nicolas Maduro and National Assembly Head Diosdado Cabello visited Mr Chavez this week, along with several other dignitaries. |
| Mr Maduro said on Wednesday that President Chavez was "conscious" and had gripped his hand firmly as they discussed Venezuelan politics. | Mr Maduro said on Wednesday that President Chavez was "conscious" and had gripped his hand firmly as they discussed Venezuelan politics. |
| He and Mr Cabello flew back to Caracas on Thursday and dismissed rumours of a split in the governing socialist movement. | He and Mr Cabello flew back to Caracas on Thursday and dismissed rumours of a split in the governing socialist movement. |
| "We're more unified than ever," Vice-President Maduro said upon his return to Venezuela from Cuba. | "We're more unified than ever," Vice-President Maduro said upon his return to Venezuela from Cuba. |
| "We swore in front of Commander Chavez that we'll be united at the side of our people," he said. | "We swore in front of Commander Chavez that we'll be united at the side of our people," he said. |
| Swearing-in doubts | Swearing-in doubts |
| Opposition activists have speculated about a split between Mr Maduro, whom President Chavez named as his preferred successor, and Mr Cabello, who the constitution decrees should temporarily take over power if the Venezuelan leader were to have "an absolute absence". | Opposition activists have speculated about a split between Mr Maduro, whom President Chavez named as his preferred successor, and Mr Cabello, who the constitution decrees should temporarily take over power if the Venezuelan leader were to have "an absolute absence". |
| Mr Cabello said that those who were spreading rumours about problems between him and Mr Maduro would "have to wait 2,000 years for that to happen". | Mr Cabello said that those who were spreading rumours about problems between him and Mr Maduro would "have to wait 2,000 years for that to happen". |
| Mr Chavez has been in power since 1999 and was elected for a fourth term in office in October. | Mr Chavez has been in power since 1999 and was elected for a fourth term in office in October. |
| It is unclear if he will be able to attend the swearing-in ceremony for another six-year term in office next week, nor what the procedure would be if he was unable to attend. | It is unclear if he will be able to attend the swearing-in ceremony for another six-year term in office next week, nor what the procedure would be if he was unable to attend. |
| Mr Cabello recently said that the ceremony could be delayed. But the opposition says such a move would be unconstitutional. | Mr Cabello recently said that the ceremony could be delayed. But the opposition says such a move would be unconstitutional. |
| Opposition politicians say there have been no independent reports of the president's condition. | Opposition politicians say there have been no independent reports of the president's condition. |
| On Thursday, Caracas Mayor Antonio Ledezma demanded that a commission travel to Cuba to report back on Mr Chavez's health. | On Thursday, Caracas Mayor Antonio Ledezma demanded that a commission travel to Cuba to report back on Mr Chavez's health. |
| Are you in Venezuela? What's your reaction to the latest developments? Please share your comments and experiences |