Chavez in Cuba, Speculation Abounds

By Circles Robinson

HAVANA TIMES, June 25 — Speculation abounds this weekend about the health of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in his third week in Cuba after an operation for a pelvic abscess in Havana on June 10th.

While the president’s brother Adan said on Wednesday that he expects to see a recovering Hugo in Caracas by the first week of July, a Wall Street Journal report on Saturday centers on what would happen if Chavez’ illness is more serious than thus far announced.

The WSJ, a longtime detractor of Chavez and his Bolivarian Revolution, stated “The absence has sparked furious speculation about the president’s health and led many in Venezuela to ask: What happens if the former army officer who has ruled Venezuela for 12 years is suddenly incapacitated or even dies?”

Chavez broke his silence from Cuba on Friday by sending out several messages via Twitter on to congratulate his country’s army on their anniversary and let the population know he is with them.

He told his compatriots: “I’m here with you during the hard daily battles! Onward to victory! We are winning! And we shall triumph!”

Chavez arrived in Cuba on June 8, on the last leg of a three nation tour that included Brazil and Ecuador.  A photo of the charismatic Venezuelan leader along with his hosts Raul and Fidel Castro was published on June 22 in the official Cuban media.