Chávez overcomes respiratory infection, government reports.
"Forty-five days after surgery to remove a malignant tumor in the pelvis, with severe acute complications, the patient's overall progress is favorable," stated a press release read by the country's Minister for Communication and Information, Ernesto Villegas.
Leandra Felipe*
EBC Correspondent
Bogotá - Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez has overcome the respiratory infection he was suffering from, according to the country's Minister for Communication and Information, Ernesto Villegas. The announcement was made last Saturday (26) on national television.
"After 45 days since surgery to remove a malignant tumor in the pelvis, with severe acute complications, the patient's overall progress is favorable," stated the press release read by Minister Villegas, who also admitted that although the infection has been overcome, the respiratory failure persists and is being treated.
In December, Chávez underwent surgery in Cuba for the fourth time since beginning treatment for pelvic cancer. According to Villegas, even while hospitalized and "within the possibilities of each moment," President Chávez has also been fulfilling his tasks of reviewing documents and holding meetings with other Venezuelan government leaders directly from Havana, Cuba.
The statement also expressed gratitude for the numerous expressions of support for Chávez during this difficult time. "The Bolivarian government thanks you for these gestures and invites the people to follow them and to accompany their revolutionary leader in the remaining battles so that he may achieve a full recovery," the document emphasized.
During the meeting of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) in Santiago, Chile, the Venezuelan government presented a letter signed by President Hugo Chávez. The letter was read by Vice President Nicolás Maduro on Monday morning, the 28th, before representatives from the 33 countries that make up the bloc.
In the text, Chávez reaffirms the political importance of CELAC in strengthening regional unity. "CELAC is the most important project of political, economic, and social union in our contemporary history," he emphasized. In his message, the Venezuelan leader also condemned the United States' embargo on Cuba and the militarization of the Falkland Islands. Regarding CELAC's regional agenda, Chávez suggests the "rigorous implementation of literacy programs and the eradication of hunger in Latin America and the Caribbean."
*With information from the Venezuelan public news agency, AVN.
Edited by: Carolina Pimentel