Mystery over Venezuela’s Chavez’s health

CARACAS - Agence France-Presse

People hold pictures of Chavez embracing Fidel Castro during a Mass. REUTERS photo

Mixed signals from officials in Venezuela sparked confusion yesterday over the condition of cancer-stricken President Hugo Chavez, under treatment in a Cuban hospital for over a month.

Chavez is “fighting for his life,” former Vice President Elias Jaua said. “The situation is complex and delicate, but it is true that Hugo Chavez has fought and is fighting for his life.” Communications Minister Ernesto Villegas, however, said that Chavez, hospitalized in Cuba following his fourth cancer operation last month, was doing better. “Despite his delicate health state since his complex surgery on Dec. 11, his general health has improved in recent days,” Villegas said.

Chavez’s brother Adan recently denied that he was in a coma.