CARACAS, Venezuela – Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is one of the world’s most talkative leaders, and his prolonged silence and seclusion in Cuba following surgery there two weeks ago is fueling speculation about his health.
Government officials have offered repeated assurances that Chavez is recovering well in Havana, but many Venezuelans are wondering if they are getting the true story.
Venezuelans are accustomed to near-daily speeches and television appearances by Chavez that can last several hours, even when he’s traveling abroad.
Yet nobody has heard him speak since he talked by telephone with Venezuelan state television on June 12, saying he was quickly recovering from surgery two days earlier for a pelvic abscess. Chavez, who turns 57 next month, said medical tests showed no sign of any “malignant” illness.
The only glimpse of Chavez came when the Cuban government released photos of him at the hospital with Fidel Castro and Cuban President Raul Castro on June 17. In one, Chavez has his hand on 80-year-old Raul Castro’s shoulder.
Venezuelan officials have limited their comments on Chavez’s health to saying that he’s recuperating and have provided few details. It is not even clear exactly when he will return to Venezuela.
Chavez’s Twitter site carried a message on Friday saluting Venezuela’s military on a national holiday, though he did not provide any information about his health.
“A big hug to my soldiers and to my beloved people,” the message read. “From here, I am with you in the hard work every day.”
Before his pelvic surgery, a knee injury forced Chavez to postpone a trip to Brazil, Ecuador and Cuba.
Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro urged Venezuelans on Friday to wish for Chavez’s complete recovery and express their “most authentic love so that his health is re-established.”
“We’ve maintained constant communication with him and he’s informed of all (of the) country’s events,” Maduro told state television.
Maduro offered no details on Chavez’s health.
Some people suspect Chavez has been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness such as prostate or colon cancer while others claim doctors botched liposuction surgery and he suffered an infection.
Authorities have sought to quash such talk.
“In response to all the rumors, I can testify that the president is recovering in a satisfactory manner,” Adan Chavez, one of the leader’s brothers who is a state governor, told state television Wednesday. “The president is a strong man.”
He added that “it’s not clear” when his younger brother would return home, but said the president is expected to leave Cuba within 10 to 12 days.
Those comments did little to calm the consternation of Chavez supporters or appease government critics who accuse officials of trying to dupe Venezuelans.
“I fear his condition could be worse than they want to tell us, but I trust in God the president isn’t in danger,” said Magalis Gonzalez, a street vendor who was among about 100 Chavez supporters who attended a prayer meeting in downtown Caracas on Thursday to wish the president a speedy recovery.
The president’s opponents have criticized government officials for providing few details on Chavez’s health and raised concerns he may not be fit to continue his duties. The latter idea was rejected by Vice President Elias Jaua, who said Chavez is attending to his day-to-day government duties while recuperating.
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