Silence from Hugo Chavez fuels fears over health

Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez has been out of sight for a week, speaking only through Twitter messages and written statements while undergoing cancer treatment in Cuba.

The lack of any appearances on television has Venezuelans wondering about what his unusual silence might say about his struggle with cancer, and whether Mr Chavez may be coping with a particularly tough phase of radiation therapy.

More than 30 messages have appeared on Mr Chavez's Twitter account since he left for Cuba on April 14.

He has cheered on supporters with slogans such as “Let's continue building socialism!”

In others, he has praised his military commanders, announced funding for local governments and vowed to survive and win re-election in October.

But he has seldom mentioned his cancer treatment.

National Assembly President Diosdado Cabello reiterated that Mr Chavez is expected to return to Venezuela soon.

“God willing, next week he'll be here again with us once he has finished the treatment,” Mr Cabello said in a televised speech. He insisted that even when Mr Chavez is away in Cuba, “he leads just the same as if he were here in Venezuela”.

“The commander's presence here isn't necessary, because just the same he's the commander of the revolution,” Mr Cabello said.

But even some of Mr Chavez's supporters have been saying recently that they wonder what is going on with his health.

“It makes me sad, but my Comandante must not be as well as they say,” said Guillermo Suarez, a street vendor selling sunglasses.

“It's already been many days that we haven't seen him, heard him.”

Mr Chavez, who has been president since 1999, has long been a constant presence on Venezuelan television, often addressing the nation for several hours most days in addition to his marathon Sunday programme Hello, President.

But recently there have been no episodes of Hello, President, and Mr Chavez said he expected his final rounds of radiation therapy, which began last month, to be rough.

Mr Chavez has not discussed details of the radiation treatments, saying they have diminished his strength but have been going well.

Last weekend, he decided not to attend the Summit of the Americas in Colombia, the sort of high-profile international event where he would previously have taken centre stage.

Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro announced the decision, saying Mr Chavez was skipping the summit on the advice of his doctors.

Mr Chavez began radiation treatment in Cuba in late March after undergoing an operation in February that removed a second tumour from his pelvic region. The first was taken out last June.

He has kept secret some details of his illness, including the type of cancer and the precise location of the tumours.

Mr Chavez also was away in Havana regularly last year while undergoing chemotherapy after the initial surgery.

During previous trips to Cuba, Mr Chavez periodically appeared on television, either in phone calls or appearances with his aides or daughters, and gave the appearance of continuing to work and keeping abreast of affairs at home.

AP