Hugo Chavez’s Post-Surgical Radio Silence Raises Questions, Speculation
- Posted on June 24, 2011 at 5:03pm by
Billy Hallowell
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CARACAS, Venezuela (The Blaze/AP) — Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is one of the world’s most talkative leaders and his prolonged silence and seclusion in Cuba following surgery there two weeks ago is fueling speculation about his health.
Government officials have offered repeated assurances that Chavez is recovering well in Havana, but many Venezuelans are wondering if they are getting the true story.
Venezuelans are accustomed to near daily speeches and television appearances by Chavez that can last several hours, even when he’s traveling abroad.
Yet nobody has heard him speak since he talked by telephone with Venezuelan state television on June 12, saying he was quickly recovering from surgery two days earlier for a pelvic abscess. He said medical tests showed no sign of any “malignant” illness.
The only glimpse of Chavez came when the Cuban government released photos of the Venezuelan leader at the hospital with Fidel Castro and Cuban President Raul Castro on June 17. In one, Chavez seems to lean on Raul Castro for support.
Venezuelan officials have limited their comments on Chavez‘s health to saying only that he’s recuperating and have provided few details. It is not even clear exactly when he will return to Venezuela.
The paucity of information has fed a stream of serious speculation about the socialist president‘s condition as well as outlandish gossip on both sides of Venezuela’s deep political divide.
Some people suspect Chavez has been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness such as prostate or colon cancer while others claim doctors botched liposuction surgery and he suffered an infection.
Even before his pelvic surgery, a knee injury forced him to postpone his trip to Brazil, Ecuador and Cuba. These problems have fed speculation about the 56-year-old president’s health at a time when Venezuela is grappling with recurring electricity shortages and a deadly prison standoff.
Authorities have sought to quash such talk.
“In response to all the rumors, I can give faith that the president is recovering in a satisfactory manner,” Adan Chavez, one of the leader’s brothers who is a state governor, told state television Wednesday. “The president is a strong man.”
Adan Chavez added that “it’s not clear” when his younger brother would return home, but said the president is expected to leave Cuba within 10 to 12 days.
Those comments did little to calm the consternation of Chavez supporters or appease government critics who accuse officials of trying to dupe Venezuelans.
“I fear his condition could be worse then than they want to tell us, but I trust in God the president isn’t in danger,” said Magalis Gonzalez, a street vendor who was among about 100 Chavez supporters who attended a prayer meeting in downtown Caracas on Thursday to wish the president a speedy recovery.
Earlier today, CNN reported that Chavez broke his silence via Twitter:
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez broke a 12-day silence on Friday, sending messages via his Twitter account while recovering from surgery in Cuba.
In a series of four tweets, Chavez sent encouraging words to his “soldiers and beloved people” but did not mention the state of his health nor his prolonged absence, which has sparked speculation at home.
While these messages will likely quiet some who are questioning his condition, others will likely continue to be skeptical. Social media messages can be sent by anyone with access to an account, thus these notes may not actually be from Chavez himself. Here are some of his alleged Tweets (in Spanish):
The president‘s opponents have criticized government officials for providing few details on Chavez’s health and raised concerns he may not be fit to continue his duties as president. The latter idea was rejected by Vice President Elias Jaua, who said Chavez is attending to his day-to-day government duties while recuperating.
In an editorial published Thursday, the opposition-siding newspaper El Nacional complained that “incompetent Cabinet ministers are turning this into a complete mystery or a state secret that creates uncertainty and anxiety within the population.”
“Nobody understands why the state of the president’s health is being hidden,” it said.
Officials say Chavez underwent surgery June 10 for a pelvic abscess, which is an accumulation of pus that can have various causes, including infection or surgical complications. Neither Chavez nor doctors treating him have disclosed what caused the abscess.
Dr. Demetrios Braddock, an associate professor of pathology at Yale University’s School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut, said surgery for a pelvic abscess is not usually difficult although complications can arise if doctors discover a digestive disease such as diverticulitis.
Diverticulitis, which is most commonly found in the large intestine, involves the formation of pouches on the outside of the colon. Braddock said the disease can be potentially life-threatening if a perforation of the colonic wall occurs, allowing feces to pass into the pelvic cavity and causing infections.
“Any number of things could be happening,” Braddock said in a telephone interview. “It’s impossible to know for sure without being familiar with this particular case.
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Comments (108)
Amy
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 6:32pmWhat? Chavez wasn’t offered free surgery at Walter Reed AMC? OMG – things are looking up.
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 6:12pmOne has to wonder WHY he chose cuba when putin is his “best friend” and has access to all sorts of wonderful doctors….. They (putin, castro, chavez, the noman, the clintons, soros and all his nasty a clowns are all in the same boat. And, glory be to GOD, it is sinking!!!!
Wahoo!!!
Report Post »ginpa
Posted on June 25, 2011 at 7:39amBut not sinking fast enough.
Report Post »abbygirl1994
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 6:11pmMaybe he’s dead!! The world would be a much better place thats for sure and Venezulians would be better off.. But alas when your kicked down into minions it will be hard to figure out how to live without another Chavez taking over. Are we headed in the same direction??
Report Post »kestrel27
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 6:05pmLike all the Progressives in this country, they were trying to reverse the rectal, cranial, inversion. It didn’t work, so they are keeping it really quiet.
Report Post »kapnkd
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 6:02pmThe irony of it all….Hugo goes to Cuba for the best of treatment (according to M. Moore) and has – at the very least – complications or (hopefully) worse. I’m willing to bet the majority of people in Venezuela are praying but not FOR “Huge-O” C.
Indeed – Karma at it’s best!!!
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 8:56pmI am thinking Moore should go there for some liposuction treatment.
Report Post »TimCotter
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 6:00pmI really hope it’s nothing trivial.
Report Post »lvjohn
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 5:55pmI pray for hugo, pray that his infection cannot be cured.
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 5:52pmToo bad the Dr. didn’t lose the patient on the table.
Report Post »Doni609
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 5:46pmHugo Chavez, wow. The “I smell Satan here at the podium” guy. Well Hugo guess what…….I too smell Satan and he‘s hovering over your rotting body and the world can’t be more thrilled! The people of Venezuela, the people of the world, and the people of the US (sans democratic congressional idiots) are most thrilled that you’re sorry butt is checking-out. Have a great after-life Hugo! Maybe you and Osama can drink a barrell of oil together!
Report Post »Buydebook56
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 5:45pm“raises questions, speculation AND HOPE” !
Report Post »flatbroke
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 5:43pmHAHA! theres just not enough drugs, alcohol, or plastic surgery, to make hugo look better. :))
Report Post »chips1
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 6:53pmLook what it did for Pelosi.
Report Post »JohnG in PC
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 5:36pmThank Michael Moore that he is being treated in Cuba- the center of the most modern medical facilities on the face of th Earth!! With their world renowned physicans and medical centers what could go wrong?
If things have taken a turn for the worst, can Michael Moore say “Oops!”.
Report Post »TH30PH1LUS
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 5:35pmLobotomy gone wrong?
Report Post »Drives Like Jehu
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 5:33pmSniff…sniff…sniff…I smell a strong odor of sulfur wafting up from cuba; huge chavez must still be there.
Report Post »GulfPeg
Posted on June 25, 2011 at 8:27amWell said!!! :)
Report Post »I.Gaspar
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 5:28pmwe can only hope it’s a slow, painful death.
Report Post »parmajohn
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 5:26pmThought I saw him with The Obama Clan doing the Mam-bo with Moochelle
Report Post »STAR SPANGLED SPAMMER
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 5:25pmIs he alive or dead?
If he’s alive?…Who gives a damn.
If he’s dead?…The drinks are on me!
(“trust nobody”)….Power to the People!!!!
Report Post »Falcon11
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 5:22pmI heard they tried to surgically remove his head from his ass but the surgeons deemed it an impossible operation.
Report Post »loadingmyclips
Posted on June 25, 2011 at 8:11amhahahahahahaha !!
Report Post »Inexiledan
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 5:21pmHe went to Cuba for the “Best Health Care” in the world!? Zero wants the same system, except for himself and his cronies. Maybe Cuba’s form of death panel decreed he was old and of no use. Rot in Heck, Hugo.
Report Post »OUTRIDER WRITER
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 5:21pmPerhaps extreme heat from the flames is interfering with his communication signal ??
Report Post »nomercy63
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 5:20pmMaybe the doctors had the guts to save millions of peoples lives by getting rid of him!!!!!
Report Post »Navyveteran
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 5:22pmNational healthcare at its best, hopefully they performed a lobotomy on the man
Report Post »308Hammer
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 5:17pmI hope he takes a dirt nap.
Report Post »Theleftisda
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 5:41pmWith Penn as a pillow and Glover as a blanket
Report Post »btycrkr
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 5:55pmDitto
Report Post »ofallon
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 5:14pmWhy would anyone check into a hospital in Havana?
Report Post »HKS
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 5:37pmPersonally, I like his choice in healthcare providers, if they can’t kill him maybe nobody can.
Report Post »Da Kingfish
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 7:27pmThat’s where Obummer went to have his failed brain implant done, and heal the damage done when they tried to remove his head from Axelrods rear end.
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 8:54pmTo get a cigar?
Report Post »The_Bees_Assume
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 5:07pmGet this guy into Satellite Radio so we can hear minute to minute updates. Call it the Libya Channel!
Report Post »dealer@678
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 7:55pmWent in for a penile enlargment and came out out a woman
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 8:57pm@Dealer:
Well said.
@The Bees Assume:
The Libya channel? Interesting idea.
Report Post »ozchambers
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 5:05pmChavez is a commie loser.
Report Post »The_Bees_Assume
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 5:13pmHe has universal health coverage anyway. Paid for by Oil Companies.
Report Post »Contrarian51
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 5:14pmIf he had to go to Cuba for surgery, how bad is medical care in Venezuela then? Or did he really believe the muck Michael Moore was spreading?
Though this would be a fitting end for a tool like Hugo.
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 5:33pmMaybe he’s hanging out with Bigfoot and Jim Morrison on the beaches of Cuba with Fidel.
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 5:36pmDoctors can get revenge easily…Hope so.
Report Post »brickmoon
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 5:38pmHe‘s recovering from an infection after an attempt to surgically remove Sean Penn’s lips from his… seat of power.
Report Post »ZOMBIE JESUS LOVES ME
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 5:40pmYou people remind me of Pat Robertson calling for Chavez to be killed. Not very Christian of you.
You should pray for his good health.
Bottom line, our nation has become really good at demonizing the leaders of other countries. Chavez if a great example of that. I mean, the man is really not a dictator. He was honestly elected — unlike G.W. Bush.
We should reach to Chavez and his people. Get your evangelical heads of your conservative butts! When it comes to being loved by your own people, we could all learn a lesson from President Chavez.
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 5:53pmZOMBIE is funny!
He’s here all week, kids. Try the veal and tip your servers.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 5:57pmHe is continuing his duties
Report Post »Crushing opposition Media
Nationalizing Industries
Demonizing America
Caddying for Barry
Playing Dominos with his BFF Fidel
ZOMBIE JESUS LOVES ME
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 5:58pmI think of Chavez as the Sarah Palin of Venezuela. Just more sophisticated … and with more of a sense of freedom.
Report Post »kryptonite
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 6:04pmThere’s bad blood between Raul Castro and Chavez, so that may explain it. If it’s poor health, all I can pray is, “Lord of heaven and earth, bless to the north as well.”
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 6:08pmWe wouldn’t be that lucky. He will be like Castro, the Energizer dictator, he will keep on ticking despite people voting him out. Like Obama wants to be.
Report Post »brickmoon
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 6:27pmYes, Zombie. Gee, Dad, take it easy on the Chav. Let’s encourage Mr. “I am a Trotskyist,” with his dependency class voter base, and state-approved media. Yeah, shutting down any TV station you want is really conducive to fair elections. “Yes, Hugo, everything’s good! REALLY good! Please don’t wish us into the corn field…”
Let’s make it Caracas this year, honey! Go for the police state, stay for the world’s HIGHEST murder rate!
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 6:27pmLiposuction?! Hahahaha.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 6:36pmUsually when a dictator is undergoing medical treatment and is silent, then yes if in bad health or other complications, they will cover it up the best they can for a time. Who knows, maybe the folks of Venuzuela will be lucky and the Almighty called Chaves home for ‘consultations’.
Report Post »geonj
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 6:37pmi pray the dictator chavez is the recipient of cuba’s excellent health care system, as described by michael moore. i look forward to danny glover and sean penn as they stand by chavez’s casket, tears in their eyes, singing his praises. his state funeral should be awesome.
Report Post »JoeBtfsplk
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 7:27pmZOMBIE JESUS LOVES YOU
go play in the traffic!
Report Post »Now this is Art
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 9:16pmi pray for he failed recovery
Report Post »NOTYERHUCKLEBERRY
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 9:42pmWhere was it that I heard, “As you sow, so shall you reap”? Oh yes, I remember! The Bible!
Report Post »pavepaws
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 10:06pmHe’s only 56? Talk about hard living.
Report Post »patriotforlife
Posted on June 24, 2011 at 11:25pmHey, check it out. The birds got a pet monkey.
Report Post »getalong
Posted on June 25, 2011 at 12:32amGod always seems to have the last say.
Report Post »silentwatcher
Posted on June 25, 2011 at 1:52amI’m trying to think of something positive to say,,,but,,,I can’t. How’s this,,,do you need any help with the funeral arrangements??
Report Post »old white guy
Posted on June 25, 2011 at 9:36amit is unfortunate that all those who follow the commie ideology don’t drop dead. maybe they can be raptured to commie heaven. i think that is somewhere in north korea.
Report Post »chazman
Posted on June 25, 2011 at 8:27pmWow … he has a parrot on his shoulder. He must think he’s a pirate or somethin.‘ That’s funny, because Chavez is nothing but an uneducated peasant. A commie pissant wanna-be.
Report Post »Dale
Posted on June 25, 2011 at 10:33pmWhere to begin: Michael Moore’s best health-care system may have failed the commie leader, and no one cares. The 2012 election: If God votes against you, it doesn’t matter who votes for you. If they could only get the Libyan mad man to go to Cuba for even a medical exam, it might just solve several problems at once.
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