Chavez making progress, says Venezuelan FM
“The president is in the process of recovering. However, the upcoming battle is more complex,” Jaua said upon his return from Cuba, where he was visiting the ailing 58-year-old Chavez.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is making progress in his recovery from cancer surgery, but faces a tough battle ahead, Foreign Minister Elias Jaua said on Thursday.
“The president is in the process of recovering. However, the upcoming battle is more complex,” Jaua said upon his return from Cuba, where he was visiting the ailing 58-year-old Chavez.
The firebrand leftist leader has not been seen for more than a month since undergoing his latest round of cancer surgery in Havana. Government officials have repeatedly said in recent days that his condition is improving.
Jaua said he had seen Chavez “several times” this week, including once earlier Thursday. Vice President Nicolas Maduro, Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez and Chavez’s brother Adan were also in Havana.
“We discussed a series of political and economic issues, as well as the upcoming mayoral elections,” Jaua told reporters by telephone during a press conference given by Communications Minister Ernesto Villegas.
Villegas said the government was pleased with Chavez’s progress, and confirmed the president was undergoing physical therapy, adding it was still too soon to talk about when the absent leader might return home.
But he insisted Chavez was “making decisions,” noting: “He is active... I have received instructions on certain tasks that need doing.”