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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
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| Hugo Chavez: Venezuela leader suffers 'new complications' | Hugo Chavez: Venezuela leader suffers 'new complications' |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has suffered "new complications" after a cancer operation in Cuba, his vice-president has said. | Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has suffered "new complications" after a cancer operation in Cuba, his vice-president has said. |
| In a televised address from Cuba, Nicolas Maduro said Mr Chavez continued to be in a "delicate state". | In a televised address from Cuba, Nicolas Maduro said Mr Chavez continued to be in a "delicate state". |
| Mr Chavez underwent his fourth cancer operation on 11 December in Cuba but suffered a respiratory infection. | Mr Chavez underwent his fourth cancer operation on 11 December in Cuba but suffered a respiratory infection. |
| The president - who has been in power since 1999 - is due to be sworn in on 10 January for another six-year term. | |
| Mr Maduro did not give details about Mr Chavez's condition but said the latest complications were connected to the respiratory infection. | Mr Maduro did not give details about Mr Chavez's condition but said the latest complications were connected to the respiratory infection. |
| "We have been informed of new complications that arose as a consequence of the respiratory infection we already knew about," he said. | "We have been informed of new complications that arose as a consequence of the respiratory infection we already knew about," he said. |
| "The president gave us precise instructions so that, after finishing the visit, we would tell the (Venezuelan) people about his current health condition. | "The president gave us precise instructions so that, after finishing the visit, we would tell the (Venezuelan) people about his current health condition. |
| "The state of health of President Chavez continues to be delicate." | "The state of health of President Chavez continues to be delicate." |
| He added that the treatment was "not without risk." | He added that the treatment was "not without risk." |
| Mr Maduro, appearing solemn, spoke alongside Mr Chavez's eldest daughter, Rosa, his son-in-law Jorge Arreaza, and Venezuelan Attorney General Cilia Flores. | Mr Maduro, appearing solemn, spoke alongside Mr Chavez's eldest daughter, Rosa, his son-in-law Jorge Arreaza, and Venezuelan Attorney General Cilia Flores. |
| The vice-president said he would remain in Havana "for the coming hours" but did not specify how long. | The vice-president said he would remain in Havana "for the coming hours" but did not specify how long. |
| Secrecy over condition | |
| Following Mr Maduro's announcement, Information Minister Ernesto Villegas appeared in a special programme on Venezuelan TV, calling on Venezuelans not to believe rumours about the president's health. | |
| "Do not get carried away with things on Twitter, you cannot play with Commander Chavez's health, it is a matter that affects the lives of others. We must act very responsibly, particularly those of us who communicate through mass media," he said. | |
| Late on Sunday, Mr Villegas said a government-organised New Year's Eve concert in central Caracas had been cancelled and he urged Venezuelans to pray for President Chavez. | |
| The BBC's Sarah Rainsford in Havana says it is now three weeks since Hugo Chavez has been seen or heard from in person. | The BBC's Sarah Rainsford in Havana says it is now three weeks since Hugo Chavez has been seen or heard from in person. |
| There continues to be huge secrecy surrounding his precise condition, she says. | There continues to be huge secrecy surrounding his precise condition, she says. |
| There are also many questions about what will happen on 10 January when Mr Chavez is due to be re-inaugurated, our correspondent adds. | There are also many questions about what will happen on 10 January when Mr Chavez is due to be re-inaugurated, our correspondent adds. |
| National Assembly head Diosdado Cabello recently said that the swearing-in ceremony would be delayed in the case of Mr Chavez's absence. | National Assembly head Diosdado Cabello recently said that the swearing-in ceremony would be delayed in the case of Mr Chavez's absence. |
| However, opposition leaders say postponing the inauguration would be unconstitutional. | However, opposition leaders say postponing the inauguration would be unconstitutional. |
| The constitution states that if there is an "absolute absence" of the president, elections must be held within 30 days. | The constitution states that if there is an "absolute absence" of the president, elections must be held within 30 days. |
| Mr Chavez has said that, should his health fail, Venezuelans should vote for Mr Maduro in fresh elections. | Mr Chavez has said that, should his health fail, Venezuelans should vote for Mr Maduro in fresh elections. |
| Officials have never disclosed the type or severity of Mr Chavez's cancer, which was first diagnosed in June 2011. | Officials have never disclosed the type or severity of Mr Chavez's cancer, which was first diagnosed in June 2011. |