Chavez suffers new complications
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has suffered "new complications" after a cancer operation in Cuba, his vice-president says.
31 December 2012
Last updated at 08:21 GMT
President Chavez, 58 is due to be sworn in for his new term on 10 January
Mr Chavez underwent his fourth cancer operation on 11 December in Cuba but suffered a respiratory infection.
The president - who has been in power since 1999 - is due to be sworn in on 10 January for another six-year term.
Mr Maduro did not give details about Mr Chavez's condition but said the latest complications were connected to the respiratory infection.
"We have been informed of new complications that arose as a consequence of the respiratory infection we already knew about," he said.
"The president gave us precise instructions so that, after finishing the visit, we would tell the (Venezuelan) people about his current health condition.
Nicolas Maduro, second right, made the televised address from Havana
"The state of health of President Chavez continues to be delicate."
He added that the treatment was "not without risk."
Mr Maduro, appearing solemn, spoke alongside Mr Chavez's eldest daughter, Rosa, his son-in-law Jorge Arreaza, and Venezuelan Attorney General Cilia Flores.
The vice-president said he would remain in Havana "for the coming hours" but did not specify how long.
Secrecy over condition
Late on Sunday, Mr Villegas said a government-organised New Year's Eve concert in central Caracas had been cancelled and he urged Venezuelans to pray for President Chavez.
The BBC's Sarah Rainsford in Havana says it is now three weeks since Hugo Chavez has been seen or heard from in person.
There continues to be huge secrecy surrounding his precise condition, she says.
However, opposition leaders say postponing the inauguration would be unconstitutional.
The constitution states that if there is an "absolute absence" of the president, elections must be held within 30 days.
Mr Chavez has said that, should his health fail, Venezuelans should vote for Mr Maduro in fresh elections.
Officials have never disclosed the type or severity of Mr Chavez's cancer, which was first diagnosed in June 2011.
Hugo Chavez: Venezuela leader suffers 'new complications'
President Chavez, 58 is due to be sworn in for his new term on 10 January
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has suffered "new complications" after a cancer operation in Cuba, his vice-president has said.
In a televised address from Cuba, Nicolas Maduro said Mr Chavez continued to be in a "delicate state".Mr Chavez underwent his fourth cancer operation on 11 December in Cuba but suffered a respiratory infection.
The president - who has been in power since 1999 - is due to be sworn in on 10 January for another six-year term.
Mr Maduro did not give details about Mr Chavez's condition but said the latest complications were connected to the respiratory infection.
"We have been informed of new complications that arose as a consequence of the respiratory infection we already knew about," he said.
"The president gave us precise instructions so that, after finishing the visit, we would tell the (Venezuelan) people about his current health condition.
Nicolas Maduro, second right, made the televised address from Havana
He added that the treatment was "not without risk."
Mr Maduro, appearing solemn, spoke alongside Mr Chavez's eldest daughter, Rosa, his son-in-law Jorge Arreaza, and Venezuelan Attorney General Cilia Flores.
The vice-president said he would remain in Havana "for the coming hours" but did not specify how long.
Secrecy over condition
Continue reading the main story
Chavez's career
- Born in 1954
- 1992: Leads a failed coup attempt against President Carlos Perez
- 1999: Takes office after winning election
- 2006: Wins another six-year term as president
- 2011: Reveals he is being treated for cancer and has two operations in Cuba
- 2012: Has two more operations
- October 2012: Re-elected for another term as president
Following Mr Maduro's
announcement, Information Minister Ernesto Villegas appeared in a
special programme on Venezuelan TV, calling on Venezuelans not to
believe rumours about the president's health.
"Do not get carried away with things on Twitter, you cannot
play with Commander Chavez's health, it is a matter that affects the
lives of others. We must act very responsibly, particularly those of us
who communicate through mass media," he said. Late on Sunday, Mr Villegas said a government-organised New Year's Eve concert in central Caracas had been cancelled and he urged Venezuelans to pray for President Chavez.
The BBC's Sarah Rainsford in Havana says it is now three weeks since Hugo Chavez has been seen or heard from in person.
There continues to be huge secrecy surrounding his precise condition, she says.
Continue reading the main story
Venezuelan constitution
- Article 231: The president-elect shall take office on January 10 of the first year of their constitutional term, by taking an oath before the National Assembly. If for any reason, (they) cannot be sworn in before the National Assembly, they shall take the oath of office before the Supreme Court.
- Article 233:(...) When an elected President becomes absolutely absent prior to inauguration, a new election...shall be held within 30 days.
- Article 234: When the President is temporarily unable to serve, they shall be replaced by the Executive Vice-President for a period of up to 90 days, which may be extended by resolution of the National Assembly for an additional 90 days.
There are also many questions
about what will happen on 10 January when Mr Chavez is due to be
re-inaugurated, our correspondent adds.
National Assembly head Diosdado Cabello recently said that
the swearing-in ceremony would be delayed in the case of Mr Chavez's
absence.However, opposition leaders say postponing the inauguration would be unconstitutional.
The constitution states that if there is an "absolute absence" of the president, elections must be held within 30 days.
Mr Chavez has said that, should his health fail, Venezuelans should vote for Mr Maduro in fresh elections.
Officials have never disclosed the type or severity of Mr Chavez's cancer, which was first diagnosed in June 2011.
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