E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
/
The life of Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez from his rise as a lieutenant colonel after his failed coup attempt in 1992.
CARACAS — Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's breathing problems have worsened and he is suffering from a "severe" new respiratory infection as he struggles to recover from cancer surgery, the government said in a somber medical update on Monday.
The 58-year-old socialist leader has not been seen in public nor heard from in almost three months since undergoing the operation in Cuba. It was his fourth surgery since the disease was detected in mid-2011.
"Today there is a worsening of his respiratory function, related to his depressed immune system. There is now a new, severe infection," Information Minister Ernesto Villegas said, reading the latest brief statement on Chavez's condition.
Chavez made a surprise pre-dawn homecoming two weeks ago with none of the fanfare and celebration that had accompanied previous returns from treatment in Havana. The government said he is now fighting for his life at a Caracas military hospital. Armed guards are providing heavy security outside.
"The president has been receiving high-impact chemotherapy, along with other complementary treatments ... his general condition continues to be very delicate," Villegas said.
Chavez suffered multiple complications after the December 11 surgery, including unexpected bleeding and an earlier severe respiratory infection that officials said had been controlled.
The government said he had trouble speaking because he was breathing through a tracheal tube, but that he was giving orders to ministers by writing them down.
"The commander-president remains clinging to Christ and to life, conscious of the difficulties that he is facing, and complying strictly with the program designed by his medical team," Villegas said.
Chavez had undergone several grueling rounds of chemotherapy and radiation treatment, which at times left him bald and bloated. He twice wrongly declared himself cured.
Venezuelan government via EPA, file
Hugo Chavez with his daughters Maria Gabriela, left, and Rosa Virginia, in hospital in Havana on Feb. 14.
The only sight of the former soldier since his latest operation were four photos published by the government while he was still in Havana, showing him lying in a hospital bed.
Following an emotional Mass at the military hospital on Friday, Vice President Nicolas Maduro - Chavez's preferred successor if he is unable to carry on as president - said the president had decided for himself several days earlier that he would return to Venezuela from Cuba.
Chavez was going to begin a "tougher and more intense" phase of his treatment, Maduro said, and he wanted to be in Caracas.
Chavez's homecoming
Maduro said that included chemotherapy - prompting some in the opposition to question whether chemotherapy can be successfully given to patients in such a delicate state.
The government is furious at rumors in recent days that Chavez might have died, blaming them on an opposition plot by "far-right fascists" to destabilize the OPEC nation, which boasts the world's biggest oil reserves.
"We call on all our people to stay alert, untouched by the psychological war deployed by foreign laboratories with the corrupt Venezuelan right, seeking to generate violence as a pretext for a foreign intervention," Villegas said.
"At this time, unity and discipline are the bases to guarantee political stability," he said, adding that the government was accompanying Chavez's children and other relatives in "this battle full of love and spirituality."
Opposition leaders have accused Maduro of repeatedly lying about the president's real condition. Several dozen anti-government student protesters have chained themselves up in public to demand proof that Chavez is alive and in Venezuela.
"I can't even imagine the party they're going to have tomorrow with this news," pro-Chavez commentator Mario Silva said on state TV on Monday night. "But we all have to keep faith."
Should the Venezuelan leader step down or die, an election would be held within 30 days and would probably pit Maduro against opposition leader Henrique Capriles, who lost to Chavez in a presidential election in October.
The stakes are also high for the rest of Latin America. Chavez has been the most vocal critic of Washington in the region and has funded hefty aid programs for leftist governments from Bolivia to Cuba.
(Additional reporting by Patricia Velez)
Copyright 2013 Thomson Reuters. Click for restrictions.
Leave a Comment:
No comment
I still think he died 2 or 3 months ago.
The morticians have been keeping him in a refrigerator between photo shoots.
Weekend at Bernie's done Cuban Style.
Under Heavy Armed guard. WHY? Are they afraid of an assassin?
Some guy would shoot him and embalming fluid would come out.
Only an American would make that John Gacy-like type of comment. Yeah! They're afraid the USA might try to poison him just like it tried with Fidel Castro.
oh no one in interested in poisoning him.. he's knocking on death door as it is.
He for sure isn't knockin on heaven's doors!!!
Actually, I'd like to keep him alive and let him suffer a bit longer.
I am curious as to the hatred for this man. The many things that I have heard him say against the US involve our foreign policy and many I don't disagree with. Maybe someone can explain.
They keep calling it an "infection" but we all know it is cancer that has metastasized. And given that it is obviously spreading at a rapid rate, there is little to no hope that Puko Chavez will live much longer. But, despite the fact that he is obviously on some very debilitating drugs, which render him incapable of running a country, he still clings to power. Demonstrating for all that it was always about Puko and not about the good of Venezuela.
Too bad he couldn't take an example from the Pope and do the honorable thing. But the power hungry always cling to the bitter end. See for example Saddam, Qaddafi, Assad, etc...But being eaten alive by cancer is probably worse than being shot or hanged.
The CIA wins again, another problem out of the way. Hugo signed his own death warrant when he nationalized the oil companies down there. He should've made friends with Castro first and asked him how he survived all these years of assassination attempts.
Do you know why Chavez is vilified in the US media? Because he refuses to become a pawn of the IMF and the World Bank.
He is doing what US citizens wish our government would do - he is standing up for his country, keeping jobs in his country, and not being "owned" by China or the US. The propaganda machine in the US has done its job and made him out to be evil.
Perhaps you should listen to his speech at the UN. He is insane and brought all this on himself. Hopefully whomever comes after him will be better.
It seems pretty clear he returned from Cuba because there was nothing further to do. His VP and cabinet should just announce his incapacity and officially take over to let the man die in peace with his family
It looks like that great Cuban healthcare system people thought was better than what we had in the US isn't so great after all. I just want everyone to take note that supports Obamacare..this is your/our future, thanks for the dismantleing of the greatest health care in the WORLD!!
The great Cuban healthcare system was a myth spread by the great wise man Michael Moore.
tuffyprinter, while cuba's healthcare system is not particularly good, as you suggest, sadly, neither is ours. by the end of the second bush administration, the U.S. heathcare system was only the 15th best in the world in overall quality. but, that's the good news. where we are (and were at the end of bush), number 1, is in out system's cost to us. so, when that is factored in, our healthcare system is actually ranked 37th in the world. this was the ranking before our current president was elected. if we don't understand and acknowledge how far down we have come in every significant ranking, we will never be able to fix it.
People in the US health care system never die of cancer like they do in the Cuban system.
My prayers go out for commandant Chavez.
Don't wish this upon any man, so god speed to whichever road works best.
I'd reserve your prayers for the millions of Venezuelans lives he has destroyed with his Marxist policies. They're the real victims here.
I too pray...that he is soon feeding the worms! Can't soon enough!
More of them voted him in, and it was observed to be a fair election by many organizations. Guess everyones got someone suffering, specially America.
Hurry up and die. The Devil From South Park is waiting for his sidekick...
Scum like you cannot find Venezuela on a freakin map - You would be happy if "Big Corp USA" ran the country like a fast food restaurant.
He does not speak for all us Americans. I hope the best outcome no matter what anyone thinks, he cares for his People like a leader should.
Quarant, judging by all your comments, you are either a troll or some kind of extreme pro-soviet radical. Chavez, like Castro, did imprison anyone who didn't agree with his political opinions. You just don't want to accept that.
Obviously obama had an adverse effect on his people.......he did more for them as a CO, this presidency act was a very bad act.
LOL!!! You freaks that are so in love with Chavez...feel free to move down to his utopia...we sure as hell won't miss you here.
Here's hoping the scum-sucking rat dies soon...and is in major pain all the way to the grave!
I think you watch too much Fox News, the O'Reilly Factor, Hannity something, etc. Some in the USA hate Chavez's guts because he's stood up to the Great Leviathan. Quarant is correct: most Americans can't locate Venezuela on a map. They should learn more about Latin America. For starters you can try Galeano's "The Open Veins of Latin America". Chavez gave it to POTUS as a gift when he visited Venezuela. I liked Tina Rosenberg's "Children of Cain". It was quite an eye opener.
do you have any statistics that show most americans cant locate venezuela on a map?
Palenque55 - Another good movie is "South of the Border" from Oliver Stone. I am currently reading "Confessions of an Economic Hit Man" by John Perkins....talk about an eye opener.
Random Pennsylvianian - Look up Susan Lindauer, Sibel Edmonds, et al. They spoke out against Bush/Cheney and look what happened to them. And it will only get worse under Obama.
He is suffering like the people of his country are suffering due to his crazy dictator bully idiocy.
If you post, try to know something about Venezuela. Thank you.
Gee Quarant...anyone who can read knows all they need to know about Chavez and his crooked "leadership". And the lawlessness in that pit of sewage. Like today..the news story about an attempted kidnapping down there of the family of an MLB ball player for one of the Florida teams. In the same story they talked about how this goes on all the time.
Chavez is their leader alright...steal and plunder all you can get your hands on.
Move there if you're so enamored with the place!
I know some about Venezuela... and chavez is a dictator.. do I hope he dies.. well..i would not wish that on anyone..but it does not take away from the fact that he oppresses ppl .
Bunny, I love you
But I think you might be fuzzy on what it means to be a dictator. For one dictators don't get elected by the people and don't usually have viable and active opposition parties to defeat.
Emanuel - His military leaders were bribed by the CIA to overthrow him so the US can get their hooks into the oil supply. It didn't work - he has a huge following who were able to reinstate him. Of course there are people in VZ that don't like him, just like there are people here who don't like Obama. The only difference is the US is run by a 2-party dictatorship whereas VZ is run by 1 person with the backing of his military.
He's not a dictator. He was elected by a majority. 75% voter turnout (the best the US can do is 40%) and secured 68% of the vote.
What is that smell??
The smell of cowards murdering a very good populist President.
The masses can be the least intellectual and such a weak ignorant group. The produce little, contribute even less and whine without stopping.
soory, I let one rp reading some of these posts, HAHAHA. It tore my shorts.
Well, at least he knows he got the best healthcare socialism can buy.. He also can be at peace knowing he couldn't get better care in the USA... LOL!... Well done HUGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!... 58... That is a heck of a long life.. I guess God wasn't on your side, nor was socialized medicine... Bye!
Uh, er, you might take a wee closer look at YOUR so called ( money talks, BS walks ) American healthcare "system" smart ass.
At 58...I'd say he lived TOO LONG!
Quarant.. why are you so angry? he has cancer.. he's the only one to blame..stop being so brainwashed.
Comrade Quarant, Communism is dead. Socialism is killing America! If that's what you want, drop dead!
Your red avatar speaks volumes, idiot!
The CIA's "slow kill" programme does it's deadly work, the sheeple do the rest.
You seem very upset. I can just imagine the hours you spent holding up a HUGO poster with one hand.
Watch out for tennis elbow.
the CIA didnt give him cancer. Ive been reading your posts and are a troll. Like you said - if you're going to post please have some clue as to what you are posting about.
You are in our prayers, Hugo. may God be with you.
as soon as possible. Thank You
It won't be God that is with him...it'll be some guy with a long tail and horns sticking out of the top of his head...in one HOT place!
Rot in hell Chavez!
Take a chill pill Quarant, Chavez is finished and many of my friends in Venezuela will be celebrating with the rest of the millions of others across Venezuela. Like it or not, it will happen!!
All that oil, so little time....
God bless Chavez but u will not be in my prayers.
hello all,
all i can say is--
Your time has come.
Have you truly served your people well?
Have you truly treated everyone fairly?
I seem to see him as a panderer to the masses
Not to do what was right but what was percieved as what was good for his base.
when he natianolized all the oil companies he broke a rule.
these companies spent billions of dollars invested in making infrastructure
he effectively cut them out of recouping the cost
what deception was this
come come help us to be later told get out or hand over your gains
how was this fair or equitable
morals have become a thing of the past
where is honor and itegrity and truth
Greed has supplanted morals under the guise on capitalism
bah i hate to say I do understand him
but i do not agree with what he has done
he is the ultimate panderer
he would do anythign to stay in power
lawful or not
sad in my internal eye but succesful in making the throngs love you
what is right is right and he has done so much wrong in the cause of his country
dictatorship is wrong
Um, he is not a dictator. And it is US and UK capitalism that is trying to corrupt the Venezuelan government, not Chavez.
Have a speedy recovery Chavez we love u!! I know u r a strong man u can do it!! Why do God Protect Criminals like the Bush who killed thousands in unnecessary wars where Good people like Chavez who help poor people in his country and around the world do not last long????
LOL!!! Chavez has been responsible for a hell of a lot more deaths! Now...finally...the world will be a tad bit cleaner...soon!
Rot in hell Chavez...soon!
It is sad to see many write comments full of hate, For those that fill their hearts with meanness and at the same time consider themselves Christians ,remember that "GOD will not forgive those that can not have the capacity to forgive others",Let GOD deal with the judgement .Before you condemn others,Take a real good look at yourself,Our nation has one of the worse records in exploitation of the natural resources of other poor nations, The biggest polluter , The one nation with a war that based on lies ,That caused the death of over a million Iraqis and the useless death of southands of Brave Americans. None is perfect,Neither Obama or Chavez.May GOD have mercy on all.
Hey...if you hate it here so much...MOVE somewhere else! Soon!
Chavez...rot in HELL!
Luminosso - Don't worry. Some of these people posting on here are paid to further the propaganda machine. You can't take them seriously. Most of them have no clue about geopolitics and how a "corpratocracy" operates.
Politics aside....may the man find rest and peace. No one deserves to die a horrid death from cancer.
I can think of several exceptions. Chavez would be close to the top of the list.
Rot in hell Chavez!
if hitler or stalin had cancer would they deserve to die a horrid death?
You only forgive those who ask forgiveness. Same as God.
I despise those of the devil who twist Gods words to spread such lies as luminosso.
God does not forgive the unrepentant.
Chavez will get his sure enough.
Wonder if ObamaCare was modeled on ChavezCare?
There will soon be a chance for Venezuela to have honest leadership...if the VP has any decency at all. If not, more of the same corruption! Good luck Venezuela...yer gonna need it.
Rot in Hell Chavez!
'Superbrain' ? You chose a very inappropriate logo. Luminoso didn't say anything about the unrepentant, A person calling himself a Christian would never despise anyone, so don't be accusing another of being 'of the devil'. Chavez will get his---? I've always read that God made the rules for mankind and He alone is the judge of who He feels is righteous. Apparently you feel the task has been assigned to you. Not So! Chavez is a sinner, as are all of us, and he is one of God's children. His suffering is something we should all have sympathy for.
If he is one of gods children, then he is the red headed step child.
Only doctors in the US can save him now!
yeah go back to cuba for that fine medical care...
Time for him to meet his maker. I don't think he will need a coat.
Chavez is a good president to his people.
He never liked the US form of government but still he's a good man.
I may not agree with his ideas but cancer is some hell of a killer I do not wish on anyone. This is a tragedy.
If you are alive, wish you the best and if you are dead RIP.
May the blessings of the Olympian gods be on you Hugo, my socialist brother. I too could smell the sulphur in the presence of "W", but when "Five Deferrment Dick "Cheney was around, just couldn't stop gagging. If you want to talk about mass murder and torture folks, start with 2000--2008. Power To The People---Right On!
It's really kind of early to be hitting the moonshine don't ya think?
When you say that, do you hold up your right fist or more likely your left fist...a child of the 60's that never grew up.