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Hugo Chavez fights for life as supporters pray in Venezuela
[GUARDIAN.CO.UK] The change of mood in Plaza Bolivar could hardly be more dramatic. Less than three months ago, jubilant crowds filled the main square in Caracas to celebrate another election triumph for Hugo Chavez with chants of "Oo, ah, Chavez no se va" -- Chavez won't go.

Now, however, supporters wait anxiously for any scrap of news from Havana, Cuba, where their president is fighting for his life after emergency cancer surgery.

"We are all very confused. We have no idea what to expect. I pray for his recovery but I am expecting the worst," said JoaquĆ­n Cavarcas, as he scanned the Ciudad CCS newspaper for the latest update.

Next Thursday, Chavez is supposed to be inaugurated for a further six-year term of office at a ceremony at the National Assembly, a short walk from the plaza. But the usually gregarious, publicity-loving president has not been seen or heard since his operation on 11 December, prompting speculation that he will not recover in time.

In the latest in a series of grave bulletins, the government said on Thursday that the president was suffering from complications brought on by a severe lung infection after surgery. Aides earlier described his condition as "delicate". The Bolivian president, Evo Morales, said it was painful to see his close political ally in this state. "The situation for our brother Hugo Chavez is very worrying," he said.

Posted by: Fred 2013-01-06
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=359455