CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez returned Thursday morning to Caracas after receiving in Cuba the first cycle of radiation therapy to combat cancer afflicting, which will obligate you to maintain a virtual presence in the Government and to lower the pace in his career for re-election in October.
An animated and smiling Chavez appeared live on the State channel VTV from one of the salons of the Miraflores Palace, headquarters of the Venezuelan Government, accompanied by several Ministers, with which he joked and sang up.
“Is a hard battle (…) am well and will continue well”, commented Chavez on his health. “I have resisted very well treating, thank God.” “Still recovering me from my post operative,” added.
Chávez in Havana’s stay coincided with the official Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the island, but the President said that he would not seek a meeting with the Pontiff for not “interfere” with matters of State between the Vatican and Cuba.
Socialist leader began Saturday in Havana, which in its first phase required five days consecutive application and treatment marked the start of a season of “comings and goings” to and from the island, while approaching the start of the election campaign in which must be measured with the Governor Henrique Capriles.
“scheduled on Saturday we have to go back (to Cuba) and remain four days”, said.
Opposition insists that, to comply with Venezuelan law, be appointed a substitute in Miraflores Palace while the leader is in Cuba, but a strong Chavez, his party and Cabinet argue that this is not necessary.
“these days I had to reduce speed (…) have reduced the speed, but the Government has accelerated”, said. “There is No vacuum of power as they say”, stated.
From the first surgical intervention that was practiced in June last year to remove a cancerous tumor the size of a baseball, the Socialist leader of 57 years tried to put the brakes on its trajinada full agenda of tours and extensive speeches.
While he himself said that it was will to comply with the order of repose, often accepted that their daughters scolded it for breaking breaks and lunch hours.
To the reappearance of cancer has unleashed a series of doubts about the ability of Chávez’s face one election campaign, the President has a comfortable lead on the single candidate of the opposition, according to a key survey revealed.
In the televised appearance, which lasted about an hour, representative evaluated the progress of some plans of the Government, criticized the opposition, said that she wanted to win the election with more than 60 percent of the vote and said goodbye to Recalling that it is a “convalescent” that “needs rest”.
(Edited by Carlos Aliaga)
