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Venezuela on Friday released images of ailing President Hugo Chavez for the first time since his cancer surgery in Cuba two months ago, saying he is breathing through a tracheal tube and has difficulty talking.The pictures showed that Chavez was propped up in a hospital bed and was flanked by his two eldest daughters.
Minister of Science and Technology Jorge Arreaza, who is also Chavez's son-in-law, said the photos were taken in Havana on Thursday, the Valentine's Day, when the recovering president was visited by daughters Rosa and Maria.
Arreaza displayed four images in all on state-run VTV, including one that showed Chavez reading a copy of Cuban daily Granma reportedly dated Thursday.
Photo provided by the Presidency of Venezuela shows Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (C) and his daughters Rosa Virginia (R) and Maria Gabriela reading a Feb. 14, 2013 copy of Cuban Government's official newspaper "Granma" during his recovery process in Havana, capital of Cuba on Feb. 15, 2013. (Xinhua)
Dressed in a tracksuit and reclining in what appears to be a hospital bed, Chavez appears ruddy cheeked and smiling.The photos mark the first time the 58-year-old president has been seen since his operation on Dec. 11, the fourth in less than a year and half.
His lengthy absence and the lack of information about his exact condition had fueled rumors of a failed or stagnant recovery, despite assurances from his aides that he was making steady progress.
For the first time Thursday, however, aides admitted Chavez has difficulty breathing and is being aided by a tracheal tube, making it difficult for him to speak.
Reading a written medical report, Communication and Information Minister Ernesto Villegas said Chavez's "intellectual functions are wholly intact, he is in close communication with his government team and leading the business of government."
But Chavez is not out of the woods yet, Villegas indicated, saying his health "is not free of complications."
"The respiratory infection that emerged during the post-operative stage was controlled, but a certain degree of (breathing) insufficiency persists," Villegas said.
"Given the situation, which is being duly treated, Commandant Chavez currently breathes through a tracheal tube, which makes talking temporarily difficult," he added.
According to Arreaza, who has been keeping Venezuelans abreast of Chavez's battle with cancer via media statements or his personal social network account, Chavez "has lost his characteristic voice."
For now, "one has to pay attention" to be able to make out what Chavez is saying, and often the president "must express his ideas in writing," Arreaza said.
"We really hope to listen to him again. Chavez has a clear vision of where the revolution is going," said Arreaza.
He also criticized the political opposition for spreading unfounded rumors about Chavez's health.
"This is a slow recovery (with) some very difficult processes, but the (medical) team is prepared for that," said Arreaza. "The people must know that he is in the best hands."
Chavez was first diagnosed with cancer in June 2011, divulging only that it is in his pelvic region. He appeared to have overcome the disease after his third operation and was declared cancer-free prior to Venezuela's general elections last fall, in which he was reelected for the third time.
In December doctors ordered emergency surgery, after which his recovery was complicated by a lung infection.
Chavez missed his Jan. 10 inauguration, which was then postponed until his condition improves, despite objection from opposition parties.
