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01/25/13 - Businessweek - Chavez Faces Most Complex Phase of Cancer Recovery

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez still faces the "most complex" phase of his
recovery after cancer surgery last month in Cuba, Foreign Minister Elias Jaua
said yesterday after returning from a trip to Havana.

"The president is in the process of recovery," Jaua said in a call to state
television.  "However, the battle against the most complex and profound part of
the sickness is coming."

Jaua didn't provide details on this phase of Chavez's recovery.  He said he met
with Chavez yesterday in Havana and held political and economic talks.

Chavez, 58, has not been seen or heard from since he underwent a fourth surgery
for an undisclosed type of cancer Dec. 11.  Venezuela will continue to inform
the public about the state of Chavez's health, Information Minister Ernesto
Villegas told reporters yesterday in Caracas.

"We'll give the good news if there is good news and the bad news if there is bad
news," Villegas said.  The former paratrooper is making decisions as he receives
treatment in Cuba, Villegas said.

A health report from Technology Minister Jorge Arreaza, who returned to Caracas
this week after a month on the Caribbean island, "has filled us with a lot of
optimism." Arreaza is Chavez's son-in-law.

"We haven't wanted to sow expectations about the date for President Chavez's
return," Villegas said.  "The evolution of his health so far is positive within
a difficult, complex and delicate situation."

'Climbing Back Up'

Vice President Nicolas Maduro arrived in Havana Jan. 23 to receive instructions
from Chavez on a regional summit taking place this week that he and Jaua will
attend.

"President Chavez is closing a post-operative cycle," Maduro said in an
interview broadcast Jan. 23 on Russian state network RT before he flew to Cuba.
"He's climbing back up the crest of the hill, battling and has lived the best
days after the operation."

Bolivian President Evo Morales said Jan. 22 Chavez is doing physiotherapy in
order to return to Venezuela.

Chavez's fragile health prevented him from attending his own swearing-in
ceremony for a new term Jan. 10 after the Dec. 11 operation caused a lung
infection and hemorrhaging.

Before traveling to Cuba, Chavez anointed Maduro as his successor, urging
Venezuelans to vote for the 50-year-old former bus driver and labor union leader
should he die or step down because of his health.

To contact the reporters on this story: Jose Orozco in Caracas at
jorozco8@bloomberg.net; Nathan Crooks in Caracas at ncrooks@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Andre Soliani at
asoliani@bloomberg.net


Original Source / Fuente Original:
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-01-24/venezuela-s-chavez-faces-most-complex-part-recovery