New photos were released on Friday of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez lying down in a hospital room in Havana
February 16, 2013 – New photos were released on Friday of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez lying down in a hospital room in Havana and looking through a Thursday edition of Granma, the official newspaper in Cuba. Supporters of the Venezuelan president rejoiced after see the photos that confirm the president is alive.
Four photos were the first evidence of Chavez’s health since the popular president, who is Latin America’s most visible face of the left, returned to Cuba in December to have surgery. It has been over two months since anyone in Venezuela had since the comadante.
Political opponents have been enraged by the absence of Chavez and have spoken aloud about who had been in charge of the country. The last day anyone had seen him until the four photos on Friday, was December 10 when he boarded a plane to return to Cuba.
Henrique Capriles, the opposition leader said on Thursday that the government was probably lying about the health of Chavez, suggesting Chavez is in worse health that government officials have said.
Capriles was also angry over the new photos being released, saying they did not clarify the true health condition of the president. However, Chavez supporters were jubilant to see their president.
Nevertheless, the Venezuelan people will have to wait until the former paratrooper breaks his silence. A breathing tube has been fitted in Chavez’s throat making it difficult for him to speak.
A government spokesman said the respiratory infection following the surgery is now under control, but the underlying issues due to the disease are not without complications. Jorge Arreaza, the son in law of Chavez showed the photos on television. Chavez is also seen in the photos with his two daughters Maria Gabriela and Rose Virginia.
A leading analyst said the government was savvy for publishing the photos even though Chavez looked somewhat debilitated.