Hugo Chavez to head home to Venezuela nearly six weeks after cancer surgery in Cuba: brother

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Hugo Chavez to head home to Venezuela nearly six weeks after cancer surgery in Cuba: brother

The Venezuelan president is nearing the end of the 'post-operative' phase of his cancer treatment and will return home in the 'coming days.' Chavez has been battling an aggressive form of pelvic cancer since June 2011.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Monday, January 21, 2013, 4:50 PM.

CARACAS, Venezuela — One of Hugo Chavez's brothers said Monday that the Venezuelan president is expected to return home from Cuba in the coming days as he continues to recover nearly six weeks after undergoing cancer surgery.

Argenis Chavez, one of the president's five brothers and the president of the National Electric Corporation, told The Associated Press that the president continues to recover.

He said after an event at the Supreme Court that the decision about when Chavez returns is up to his medical team, but that he is expected to return to Venezuela in the "coming days."

The president hasn't been seen or spoken publicly since he left for Cuba on Dec. 10 for his fourth cancer-related operation.

Argenis Chavez said he recently saw and talked with his brother in Havana, though he didn't specify when or say how the president looked. He said that Chavez remained in Cuba accompanied by his children.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/hugo-chavez-head-back-venezuela-cancer-surgery-brother-article-1.1244387#ixzz2IexzfszF

[Arctic Dave]

1. Glad to see he is feeling better.

Best wishes to him.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

2. Home cured or home to die?

My late wife did the latter. It would make sense here too.

[bitchkitty]

3. Good - the people need him!

I hope this marks the beginning of complete recovery. He has had the best medical care available and I find that reassuring.

[joshcryer]

14. That is extremely fantastical.

I feel sad for people who are so propagandized by the chavistas that they can't see what's going on right in front of their eyes.

[bitchkitty]

18. Don't cry for me, cryer. To paraphrase your stupid little statement:

I DO NOT feel sad for people who see no harm in spreading foul propaganda on progressive message boards, who can barely conceal their glee at the illness of a righteous, progressive socialist leader. They are so far up the anus of the right wing, but they CAN see what's going on in front of their eyes, because it's their hands that do it. They are the tools of the 1% and if there is a hell, Satan is surely tugging on their loathsome, smelly feet while we speak.

[joshcryer]

19. Glee?

It's horrific what's being done to Chavez.

[bitchkitty]

22. Your fantasies about what is being done

are no doubt, very horrific. But you don't know what's being done to Chavez. You can only speculate. It's kind of sick but it's what you do, day in, day out, right on schedule.

[joshcryer]

23. Wait and see.

[bitchkitty]

40. Hmmmm, I think you said that about Capriles.

Your wisdom is....sorely lacking.

[Comrade Grumpy]

4. I hope this quiets the ghouls for awhile.

[bitchkitty]

11. It won't. It didn't. n/t

[MADem]

5. The Spanish press have reported that he was moved to a bunker because of leaks about his condition.

He had a heart attack during his last surgery to remove a load of intestine and his prostate, which caused problems in his post-surgical recovery.

He was on a respirator (maybe still is) with a lung infection.

He has lost 20 kilos because he hasn't been able to eat. I imagine he looks very different.

[Judi Lynn]

6. Not exactly a bunker: "Chavez reportedly at exclusive Cuba hospital"

Chavez reportedly at exclusive Cuba hospital
Posted: Thursday, January 17, 2013 12:52 pm | Updated: 8:14 pm, Sun Jan 20, 2013.

~snip~
CIMEQ hospital's well-earned reputation for guaranteeing the privacy of its elite clientele makes it the perfect place for the Venezuelan leader, who is bent on maintaining a large degree of secrecy about his battle against a cancer somewhere in the pelvic region. Venezuelan government officials have released few details on the cancer since it was first discovered in June 2011, and they've been no more forthcoming during his latest stay for a fourth surgery, on Dec. 11.

"What Chavez gets there (at CIMEQ) is a lot of privacy," said Sergio Diaz-Briquets, a Virginia-based analyst and the author of "The Health Revolution in Cuba." "They have been pretty good at protecting the private affairs of the leaders of the Cuban revolution, and now we see they're doing the same with Chavez."

CIMEQ, a Spanish-language acronym for Center for Medical and Surgical Research, is operated jointly by Cuban civilian and military authorities and is considered the crown jewel of the island's health care system. Opened in 1982 in western Havana, it was the first to use CAT scan technology in Cuba, and is reputedly at the vanguard of marrow, liver and kidney transplants.

More:
http://www.idahostatejournal.com/news/health/article_314d8ab0-5fcf-59ef-8a7e-7eecaa0db5db.html

[MADem]

7. In a blocky lobster colored building with insanely high security...?

Chavez is believed to be housed in an entirely separate ward that is off-limits to all but a few _ his doctors, family members and the highest-level officials. It is here that Chavez's friend and mentor, Fidel Castro, 86, was presumably treated for an intestinal ailment that nearly killed him and forced him into retirement seven years ago. As has been the case with Chavez, details of Castro's illness were closely guarded leaving rumor and speculation to rule the day.

http://www.idahostatejournal.com/news/health/article_314d8ab0-5fcf-59ef-8a7e-7eecaa0db5db.html

The Russians and Univision say he's in a bunker:

After visiting Chavez in Havana on January 14, Maduro said the Venezuelan leader “is recovering from surgery” and "the entire infection phase has been controlled," referring to Chavez’s respiratory problem.
Univision channel said on Friday Chavez was transferred from the intensive care unit to a secret underground bunker-hospital in Havana, which was designed for emergency medical assistance to Fidel Castro.
Hundreds of security agents and physicians took part in the operation. This was made to avoid leakage of information about Chavez’s health and possibly start preparation for sending him to Caracas.
Chavez, 58, who has ruled Venezuela for 13 years, underwent four operations for cancer and four courses of chemotherapy in Cuba and Venezuela within a year. He underwent his fourth surgery to remove cancerous tissue in Cuba on December 11.
According to the latest official reports, Chavez is being treated for ''respiratory deficiency'' after complications from a severe lung infection.
Spain’s ABC newspaper said citing hospital sources in Havana that the Venezuelan leader was in an induced coma and on life support. Other media said Chavez suffered a heart attack, seriously lost weight and has an ongoing problem with the respiratory system.

http://en.rian.ru/world/20130120/178906334/Cancer-Stricken-Chavez-Enters-New-Phase-of-Treatment.html

[joshcryer]

15. This is disgusting. Beyond anything I'd wish for my worst enemy.

They're keeping poor Chavez alive on life support to be shipped back to Venezuela like cargo so he can publicly anoint Maduro on his death bed.

[MADem]

17. I would have to agree with you. I think it is terribly suspicious that there are no pictures.

But hey, let's put that aside; never mind that the last three times before this one, there were pictures galore.

We'll say "OK, he's lost almost fifty pounds, he must look like hell from all that time on the respirator. So maybe he's suddenly decided he's vain, even though, bald, ballooned up from steroids, he was never vain before. He never cared how he looked..."


But, but, they claim--he's laughing and joking with VZ officials? Why not an AUDIO tape, then? That way he doesn't have to show off his less-than-optimal visage. A little radio address--three minutes or so. An audio tape where he says something contemporaneous with the events of the day, like "I hear the American President had good weather for his inauguration" or "I see that the President's wife changed her hairstyle"--something that will make it clear that the tape was not pre-recorded or patched together from other comments.

No one could get away with imitating him--it's too easy to "voice fingerprint" the guy. But we haven't had any real "proof of life" in well over a month.

I think the Cubans are very worried about the goose that lays golden oil eggs. They are terribly concerned that power transfers to someone who will keep that black gold flowing, and they'll construct any scenario necessary to create an illusion of a sentient leader.

It really is a shame--he probably would have had a better outcome if he sought treatment in Devil Satan USA, or, if he wanted to stay closer to home, Brasil--they are doing some very forward cancer work down that way, with state-of-the-art facilities and doctors who are very well trained.

[Comrade Grumpy]

45. "Disgusting" is a word that I would apply to your post.

Who is this "they"? The international communist conspiracy?

And your imputation of foul motives for trying to keep him alive, well, that is truly disgusting.

[naaman fletcher]

8. Exclusive hospital with elite clientele? Is he the 1% or something?

Are you suggesting that there are differing standards of care in Cuba depending on if you are "elite"?

[bitchkitty]

13. Silly.

Of course not - Chavez has no enemies, anywhere - there is absolutely NO NEED to protect him from freaks and right wing zealots.

Everything is ducks and bunnies in the world. There's certainly no need to assume that anyone would make an assassination attempt on the dick-tater of Venezuela.

[naaman fletcher]

27. that wasn't my point

My point was that I am surprised that Cuba even has an elite hospital for the 1%. I wonder.. does a regular cuban get to go there, or just the elite?

[Judi Lynn]

28. Would a "regular cuba" be a target for assassination by the CIA, like leftist Presidents? n/t

[naaman fletcher]

36. so,

your point is that this hospital is just very high security, not, say, better treatment?

[Marksman_91]

49. It is indeed a hospital for the elite, as in, the Castros and any other high-ranking official or...

anybody who is NOT Cuban. Why do you think they have Chávez there? At the moment, it has been turned into a high-security complex where their main patient is protected 24/7 by the Cuban Army, medical supplies are in overabundance, and where no unauthorized outside entity is allowed. It's the perfect place to hide the truth about Chávez's condition. This should clear up some doubts:

http://opencuba.blogspot.com/2012/03/cimeq-and-myths-of-cubas-health-care.html

Also, have you ever been to Cuba? If you do, try to impersonate a civilian so nobody knows you're a tourist. They actually treat anybody from the outside like kings, but if you're a citizen of the island, tough luck.

[naaman fletcher]

50. I'm pure gringo

And look like a tourist. Here in panama it works to my advantage. If a cop pulls me over for speeding I play the dumb tourist who doesn't know Any Spanish and they get frustrated and let me go.

Also I just walk right into hotels and use their gyms and pools and such. They assume I must be staying there.

Plus I don't like conversations about work so I just tell people I'm on vacation.

Anyway, I could never pass as a local.

[Judi Lynn]

52. Which hotel facilities would you reccomend using for nada when you're not staying there?

Just for other people who might look like gringos, too.

[center] [/center]

[naaman fletcher]

53. huh? nt

[Judi Lynn]

9. Venezuelan foreign minister says he joked with ailing Hugo Chavez during visit in Cuba

Venezuelan foreign minister says he joked with ailing Hugo Chavez during visit in Cuba
By The Associated Press January 21, 2013 7:20 PM

HAVANA - Venezuela's top diplomat said he joked and laughed with President Hugo Chavez after meeting him on Monday in Cuba, where the ailing leader is recovering from a fourth cancer surgery.

Foreign Minister Elias Jaua wrote on his official Twitter account that Chavez made decisions about Venezuela's participation in this weekend's Community of Latin American and Caribbean States summit in Chile and was "very happy because the Bolivarian dream continues advancing."

"I transmit all his blessings and love for you, his beloved Venezuelan people," Jaua wrote. "Viva Chavez!"

More:
http://www.calgaryherald.com/health/Venezuelan+foreign+minister+Havana+plans+foreign+policy/7849801/story.html#ixzz2Ifa0KnNW

[Judi Lynn]

10. "Laughing" Chavez gives orders from Cuba: Venezuelan minister

"Laughing" Chavez gives orders from Cuba: Venezuelan minister
Reuters
9:43 p.m. EST, January 21, 2013

CARACAS (Reuters) - Hugo Chavez is joking and giving instructions again, an ally said on Monday, in the latest positive comment from an official six weeks after the Venezuelan president's disappearance from public sight for cancer surgery in Cuba.

Rumors earlier this month that Chavez was on life support have given way in the last few days to speculation that he may soon return to Venezuela. The more positive talk has been fueled by comments from officials that Chavez has been gradually improving from a grave post-operation situation.

"Comrades, I'm coming out of the meeting with our commander-president, Hugo Chavez," recently appointed Foreign Minister Elias Jaua tweeted from Havana after a visit with Chavez.

"We shared jokes and laughed."

~snip~
Vice President Nicolas Maduro is running Venezuela's government in Maduro's absence, but said at the weekend he was hopeful that Chavez may be home soon. Rumors are rife that a military hospital in Caracas is being prepared to receive him.

More:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/nationworld/sns-rt-us-venezuela-chavezbre90l03d-20130121,0,4074606.story

[MADem]

12. It's a valid question.

Opponents remain skeptical, asking why Chavez cannot speak to the nation if it is true that he can chat with ministers.

[Marksman_91]

16. Anyone who believes he's concsious and fully conditioned to keep on governing is a fool

Where is the bloody proof? Some document with his "signature" that the government produced? If they want to make people believe he is alive and well, or at least alive, then why don't they show any footage or a recording of him speaking? Something that is actually legit? Not some document with a signature that looks like it was made with a signature maker.

[joshcryer]

24. That's pretty low.

That poster claims to be from Venezuela and as far as I've read in Venezuelan press it is indeed questionable why he's not on TV or audio or no pictures are being taken. I mean he's been absent over a month. How many Presidents of a country are allowed to be absent over a month without there being anything of substance shared about them? I can't think of any to be sure. Maybe Kim Jong of North Korea, I guess. But hell, he's been in the limelight more than Chavez at this point!

[harmonicon]

26. This is the thing with those who seek to spread disinformation.

When news, such as this OP, does come out, the conspiracy theorist simply says "blah blah blah, anyone who believes x, y, and z is an idiot." The feeble-minded conspiracy theorist then takes this as a sort of gospel, whereby all actual news and accounts of the truth will never be accepted.

You're suggesting that my calling out this pattern is low? I call bullshit. You playing a role in sowing the seeds of disinformation and tin-foil-hat-nuttery is what's low.

[joshcryer]

29. That's what's unfortunate about a lack of transparency.

A country, like North Korea, can refuse to release any information about a certain subject, and then any speculators are branded conspiracy theorists.

Go back to my original response to you. Replace Chavez with Obama. Do you think for a second that Obama could go over a month out of the limelight in a critical health state without the US population losing its collective shit? Seriously?

I think it's low that you compared that poster to all sorts of vile shit when they asked a legitimate question. It is not "tin-foil-hat-nuttery" to wonder what the fuck is going on when a fucking leader of an entire country (population around 30 million people) doesn't show for over a month. It's ridiculous in the extreme. I mean, really, it's absurd really. Who else but Chavez (or Castro) could get such a long pass?

As my original response to you noted, Kim Jong has been more public than that. Are we going to now aspire to North Korean lack of transparency as the benchmark for when or how leaders show themselves?!? Seriously?!?

[harmonicon]

31. Do you fucking realize that the man has cancer?!

He's getting treatment for it. What the fuck don't you get about that?! Do you need to see photos of him in the operating room? What fucking right do you have?!

If our president were to suffer such a terrible illness, I also hope he'd get treatment for it, even if it meant not being in the public eye for a few weeks. Being in photos isn't the job of a president. Leading a country is. I know it pains your heart, but the people of Venezuela have time and again chosen Hugo Chavez to lead their country.

There is no lack of transparency. You are only proving the point that I made earlier. Even when real information is released, those who would seek to spread disinformation will deny the validity of the release.

You are no different than a birther.

[joshcryer]

32. Sure.

Which is more reason for substantive daily updates!

If our president were to suffer such a terrible illness I'd hope we'd be updated daily!

It doesn't "pain my heart" that Chavez has persistently shown a better ground game in the elections at all.

The lack of transparency exist, however, when a president of a nations' health isn't told to the public. In fact, we don't even know what kind of cancer he has. Therefore, it is absurd that you compare me to a "birther" (what a nasty insult that is) because it remains a fact that the facts are not being released in the case of Chavez. We don't fucking know anything! It's "cancer" and it's "being treated in Cuba." That's all we know! Literally! And I'm a birther? Fuck that total bullshit. You know it and I know it that it's total bullshit.

[harmonicon]

33. Where's the long-form certificate, Josh?!

You think you have some right to know about the president's healthcare? The fuck you do. That shit's private. You think you need to know exactly what hospitals he's treated in and exactly which doctors are involved? Again, the fuck you do.

See, when information is given, you'll always demand more and/or claim that the information given is somehow invalid. You are illustrating perfectly the method of operation that I described earlier. I'm not saying that you are a birther, but that you use the same methods.

[joshcryer]

34. I expect transparency!

There's nothing "private" about the leader of the preisdents' health. NOTHIHNG! Fuck, we were told about the SoS' health within hours for fucks sake. Cheney, the fucking troll that he is, admitted his health state within hours of it being known.

And you're going to seriously say that Chavez should be allowed to obscure his state of health to the Venezuelans? Are you serious? I have no desire to say no information given is invalid. I only say that information be given! In Chavez' case no information is given whatsoever! Validity is not even part of the equation! We don't know shit about shit. If we were having that same situation here people would be taking to the streets!

[harmonicon]

35. Want to dig yourself deeper into the hole you're already pretty far into?

You just can't help yourself, can you? You absolutely must follow the formula at all costs.

We know all we need to know about Chavez's health. You simply deny it. When you're given information, you say "where's the information?!" The man has been seeking treatment and is now in a state where he can return to his country. You have this information - all that is relevant - but you say you have none.

Now you've done something else. You make a fallacious statement, and then you take that fallacy as a fact in order to construct an argument on nothing.

Fallacious statement: "There's nothing "private" about the leader of the preisdents' health. NOTHIHNG!"
Baseless argument: "And you're going to seriously say that Chavez should be allowed to obscure his state of health to the Venezuelans?"

See, first you suggest that a person is not entitled to privacy. Where you get this idea from is immaterial. You just needed to make it in order to post your screed. I get that. However, it's not true. Do you have access to the medical records of every world leader? Of course you don't. No one would, but you know that. However, putting forth this fallacy as fact allows you to charge that Chavez is then "obscur(ing) his state of health." *sigh* You're a fucking laugh riot. YOU DO THIS IN COMMENTS TO A STORY ABOUT THE MAN'S STATE OF HEALTH. You are beyond help!! In a fucking story about Chavez's state of health, you say that he is somehow hiding something about his state of health.

When the fuck are you going to give this shit up?!

[joshcryer]

37. Are you kidding me?

We know "all we need to know about Chavez' health?" Are you seriously saying that a President of the United States could get away with 1) not explaining their prognosis as well as 2) being in ANOTHER COUNTRY to cure them? You've GOT to be kidding me. Seriously. Are you seriously arguing this? This is beyond anything I've ever heard a rational person argue.

Privacy is a concern, most doubtedly, but the health of the head of state of an entire nation must be known! Your argument would say that Cheney should never have been required to explain his health situation throughout. Indeed, even the shotgun to the face incident, totally unnecessary. What a joke of epic proportions!

Chavez will be dead in a few fucking months, and the specter of his death as well as the way it's going to be handled is a fucking travesty. Wait and fucking see. I might have been wrong about other aspects of Venezuelan politics, but this I am truly confident. It is disgusting beyond words. Just wait and see. And question yourself when the poor man is dragged out as a spectacle to behold. It will be shameful.

[reorg]

41. Your concern about the well-being of Chavez is noted

Let's hope you're wrong about his prognosis, just as you were wrong with all your other predictions concerning Venezuela.

The Dying President

[Comrade Grumpy]

46. Good Lord, get a life! Don't you have some glorious revolution somewhere to tweet about?

[MADem]

38. There IS lack of transparency. You cannot, with a straight face, suggest that if Barack Obama went

missing to a foreign country for well over a MONTH that people would not notice and would whine and whinge and blubber about his "privacy." The fact that you are even trying that argument on is just absurd. It's not about "getting treatment"--who doesn't want the man to "get treatment?" It's about political responsibility. The people of VZ deserve to know that the Castro regime isn't playing "Weekend at Bernie's" with Hugo's corpse in order to keep the oil flowing. THAT's the doggone issue.

Remember the last time we had a President hospitalized over a dire condition, when it wasn't clear if he might live or die?

How long did it take for us to get pictures of the guy? I'm sure he felt like shit, but he sucked it up and did what he needed to do to assure the people that he wasn't dead. That's what leaders do, even lousy ones:








There was no shortage of detail provided to the American people regarding the President's condition. We had hourly updates and pictures of the suffering bastard in his PJs within 48 hours.

I doubt strongly that Chavez would approve of the way this situation is being handled. I do not believe he has ANY input into how it is being handled, either. As a guy who kept power by aggressively courting his base, turning his back on them now makes no damn sense.

If he has the wherewithal to "joke and laugh" with ministers, he has the ability to speak to the people for a minute or two on the radio....but he doesn't.

And he doesn't, because he CAN'T. It's the only logical conclusion that a sentient individual, who is not blinded by wishing, hoping and foolish desire, can arrive at.

[polly7]

42. A'fricking'men! Spot on .... nt.

[bitchkitty]

54. +1,000,000,000 n/t

[Marksman_91]

48. Dude, chill out. I'm not a birther. In fact, I'm glad Obama is still your president...

and not some crazy-ass right-winger like Romney. You don't have to be from the right to not support Chávez or any of his lackeys.

You just need to be someone who has some common sense

[wayne_fontes]

51. The man couldn't show up to be sworn in

The VZ government has never specified what type of cancer Chavez has, what his prognosis is or details about his treatment. He has had four surgeries in two years. In the last 5 weeks there has been no evidence to show that he is alive. This context causes you to call people who doubt he will ever again be well enough to fulfill the duties of is office conspiracy theorists and tinfoil hat nutters?

What actual hard news contradicts what the "conspiracy theorists" are predicting will happen?

[Judi Lynn]

30. After watching these tools in action since 1999, we've learned they jump at ANYTHING

they hope can work.

If they are forced to back down on this circle jerk festival of poo-slinging, we'll go right back to the usual, time-worn charges they drag out whenever there's a lull.

Crime! That's Chavez's fault. Chavez is secretly connected to drugs. Chavez is not anti-drug war enough! Chavez buys votes by trying to make things better for the lazy poor!

God, we could recite their crap by heart. They seem to forget they've used it before when they drag it out the next time.

Desperate.

[center][/center]

[MADem]

39. Real classy, Judi Lynn--calling people trolls because they dare to point out the obvious.

Making baseless accusations about DUers because they are using logic and saying what most of VZ is saying?

Please. The only people shopping this "Nothing to see here, everything is fine" bullshit is the governmental inner circle trying to patch this mess up, and the Cubans. Even Chavez's most loyal supporters, the people in the barrios, know the news is BAD.

The guy has been missing for over a month.

No pictures. No audio.

One signature--on a document that SAYS--on the document--that it was signed in CARACAS. Chavez may be a Magic Man--but he's capable of teleporting himself from Havana to sign a document, and then teleporting himself back again?

Come on. Your arguments are flat out absurd, and your aggressively rude accusations about the motives of people who dare to question you are far beneath this board.

The Chavistas in Caracas are resigned--they know it's bad, and many think he is dead. Are they rightwingers, too? Just because they don't go along with your Happy-Glad fantasies? The desperation is all yours. Chavez, if not already dead, is in a perilous state. If he were recovering, we'd see his face and hear his voice. And in your heart you KNOW that.

[polly7]

43. Perfect. That's exactly how I picture them. nt.

[Judi Lynn]

44. I'm certain whoever created it had the same ugly faction in mind. n/t

[harmonicon]

20. I'm glad to hear it.

I was just thinking last night that it had been awhile since I'd read anything in the news about it and wondered if I'd missed something. I hope he's ok - cancer fucking sucks.

[Judi Lynn]

25. Yes, it most certainly sucks. Makes you question everything, changes the lives

of people even close to those with cancer who didn't make it.

We have been able to read it titilates and excites right-wingers beyond their ability to control themselves, not that they ever have, when a leftist is brought low.

I don't think there's a DU reader here who has the slightest doubt about where the sympathies lie among the "personalities" who seem rabid on the subject of Latin American leftist leaders.

We also have seen them clumsily attempt to divide the leaders into "good Presidents" and "bad Presidents" to attempt to peel off support for some, to divide loyalties among Democrats. Yes, that is cheesy. Shabby. Low rent.

They don't seem to realize the real DU'ers care enough to do their own research, reading, questioning, discussing, and are NOT just empty idiots waiting for their next lie to feed them, like stupid right-wingers.

We care too much to live in the dark any longer.

[Judi Lynn]

47. Chavez undergoing physical therapy – Bolivian President

Chavez undergoing physical therapy – Bolivian President
January 22, 2013 - 21:15 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez is undergoing physical therapy to hasten his return home from Cuba after surgery last month for the cancer that has threatened to end his 14-year rule, Bolivian President Evo Morales said on Tuesday, Jan 22, according to Reuters.

The comments by Morales, a fellow leftist and close friend of Chavez, added to positive signals from Venezuelan officials that the president was improving and may be able to return from Cuba, where he had surgery on December 11. He has not been seen or heard from in public since then.

"I communicated with Cuba and, brothers and sisters, we have good news about our brother, President Hugo Chavez. He is already undergoing physical therapy to return to his country," Morales said in a speech to parliament in La Paz.

"Latin American leaders like Fidel (Castro) and Hugo Chavez are very much needed at international events and I'm certain that soon we will be (together again) at presidential summits," Morales added, without giving more details.

There were rumors around the New Year that Chavez, 58, was on life support. Those have given way in the past few days to speculation he may soon return to Venezuela. Local media reports have said a military hospital in Caracas is being prepared to receive Chavez.

More:
http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/142389/

[bitchkitty]

55. More good news!

Thank you for brightening up my Tuesday, Judi Lynn!