Caracas, Venezuela, Jun 27 : Elena de Chavez, the mother of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, on Sunday sent her blessings to her son who was recovering in Cuba following surgery there two weeks ago.
De Chavez spoke at a PSUV (government party) event in Barinas state, and was accompanied by her husband, Hugo de los Reyes Chavez.
She said “I want to send a special greeting and blessing to my beloved son. May the power of God heal him and bring him back.”
Meanwhile, opposition leaders accused Hugo Chavez of failing to fully inform the public about his health, saying the president's condition following his surgery should not be shrouded in secrecy.
But, speaking on Saturday, Elias Jaua, Venezuelan Vice President, accused them and the press of making political capital out of the issue.
“The national and international press are rubbing their hands and rejoicing about the state of the president's health, even talking about the president's death, as they did back on April 11 (referring to the coup d'etat against Chavez in April 2002). We tell them and remind them from here, that after April 11, there was an April 13 (date when Chavez returned to power once the coup failed) and we will have Chavez for a long time!” said Jaua
Despite assurances from top government officials and close relatives that Chavez is recuperating two weeks after the operation, the president's silence and seclusion since then have spurred growing speculation about how ill he may be.
Opponents say the lack of openness on the isssue is a violation of the constitution.
Venezuelan officials have said Chavez is recuperating, but have provided few details.
Chavez's Twitter stream has been active, but it has not provided any information about his health. Three messages appeared within 30 minutes on Saturday afternoon, including one mentioning visits by Chavez's daughter Rosines and grandchildren.
But nobody has heard Chavez speak publicly since he told Venezuelan state television by telephone on June 12 that he was recovering quickly for the operation two days earlier for a pelvic abscess.
He said medical tests showed no sign of any “malignant” illness.
It remains unclear when he will return to Venezuela. AP
