Chavez Undergoing Chemo, Reports VP

Optimistic About President’s Condition

HAVANA TIMES — Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez is undergoing chemotherapy to combat his cancer, but his strength is “superior” to the medical procedures that followed his December 11 operation, said Vice President Nicolas Maduro on Friday, reported DPA news.

“We have to say that the treatments being received by Commander Chavez are hard, but his strength is greater than those treatments,” said Maduro while leaving a Mass held in the chapel of the military hospital where Chavez has been hospitalized for the past 12 days.

Maduro denied that the government is hiding the truth about the president’s condition, attributing such rumors to the “desperate and inhumane opposition.”

“The opposition lives in a world of hatred and ill feelings. We wouldn’t dare make up something about a person as pure as Commander Chavez. We are telling the people to be full of energy. The commander will need this to face this battle for his life,” he added.

In addition, Maduro accused the opposition of circulating rumors about the alleged seriousness of the president in order to generate fear among people.

He explained that Chavez is undergoing new chemotherapy treatments to attack his cancer following the worsening of his post-surgery condition.

“There was a general improvement — as we reported — of his entire clinical picture, so the doctors and the commander decided to initiate complementary treatments. Do you know what complementary therapies are? They’re chemotherapy treatments applied to patients after their operations, like the chemotherapy and radiation treatments he received after his operations in 2011,” Maduro told reporters.

He added that the president must be left “in peace and quiet” to receive those treatments, thus rejecting the opposition’s demand that Chavez be sworn in for his 2013-2019 term.

“We’re asking the people to maintain their unity, and that they be fierce fighters against rumors,” he stressed.

Chavez underwent surgery in Cuba on December 11 for the fourth time to remove cancer in his abdomen. Since that time he has not had direct contact with the public.

The leader spent over two months convalescing in Havana and was then transferred to the Military Hospital in Caracas 12 days ago. The government said Chavez is still affected by respiratory problems and therefore requires a tracheal cannula.

Maduro said Chavez communicates with his inner circle in writing and by “other means created by the commander.”