Chavez's absence worries Venezuela

By Mery Mogollon and Chris Kraul
Los Angeles Times

Posted: Sunday, Jun. 26, 2011

Chavez

CARACAS, Venezuela Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's hospitalization and subsequent disappearance from public view while in Cuba has stirred rumors over the seriousness of his medical condition and controversy over whether he should delegate power.

Chavez has not been seen in public since June 8 when he arrived in Havana on a Latin America tour. Two days later, he underwent surgery for a "pelvic abscess" and since then, his government has offered little detail as to the extent of his condition or progress of recuperation.

On Thursday, however, messages from Chavez began appearing again on his normally active Twitter account. There had been no direct public communication from the 56-year-old leader since June 12. On June 17, Cuba released a photo of Chavez being visited in his hospital room by Fidel and Raul Castro.

Specifics on Chavez's condition have been scarce. On Thursday, Defense Minister Carlos Matta Figueroa said he talks to Chavez every day, and the leader is convalescing nicely and is "stronger than ever."

El Nuevo Herald, McClatchy Newspapers' Spanish-language newspaper in Miami, reported on Saturday that Chavez's health was in "critical, not grave, condition" citing U.S. intelligence sources.

Critics such as opposition deputy Americo de Grazia demand the government issue a daily medical bulletin.

McClatchy Newspapers contributed.

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