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Venezuelan leaders meet amid Hugo Chavez health concerns Venezuelan leaders meet amid Hugo Chavez health concerns
(35 minutes later)
Venezuelan Vice-President Nicolas Maduro is heading a meeting of political and military leaders as concern mounts over President Hugo Chavez's health, state media says. Venezuela's Vice-President has spoken at length on TV in an apparent attempt to reassure citizens despite the failing health of Hugo Chavez.
On Monday officials said he had a new, severe respiratory infection. Nicolas Maduro was surrounded by political and military leaders in a seeming display of solidarity.
Dozens of people gathered to pray for Mr Chavez's health at the hospital where he is being treated. He accused the US of plotting against the Venezuelan government and said a US military attache would be expelled in the next 24 hours.
Mr Chavez, 58, returned to Venezuela last month after being treated for cancer in Cuba. On Monday officials said Mr Chavez had a new, severe respiratory infection.
The defence minister and the president's brother Adan Chavez were reportedly among those at the meeting chaired by Vice-President Nicolas Maduro at the presidential Miraflores Palace. Dozens of people gathered to pray for his health at the hospital where the 58-year-old is being treated.
The meeting is being broadcast live on state TV. Mr Maduro accused "enemies of the fatherland" in Venezuela and abroad, particularly the United States, of seeking to undermine democracy in Venezuela. Mr Chavez has not appeared in public since he returned to Venezuela last month after being treated for cancer in Cuba.
He went on to say that Mr Chavez's illness was an "attack" by his enemies and called for this to be investigated. 'Attack' on president
Mr Chavez has not appeared in public since his return from Cuba. In a speech from the presidential Miraflores Palace, broadcast live on state TV, Mr Maduro accused "enemies of the fatherland" in Venezuela and abroad, particularly the United States, of seeking to undermine democracy in Venezuela.
In recent days, the opposition have condemned what they say is the lack of clarity surrounding his condition. Speaking in a room full of dignitaries including the defence minister and the president's brother Adan Chavez, Mr Maduro said Mr Chavez's illness was an "attack" by his enemies and called for this to be investigated.
Venezuelans are congregating in a small chapel at Caracas military hospital. They are attending mass and praying for the health of the president.Venezuelans are congregating in a small chapel at Caracas military hospital. They are attending mass and praying for the health of the president.
One woman, Maria Cristina Rojas, shed a few tears as she came out of the chapel. She said she was worried about the announced worsening of Mr Chavez's health. "I haven't been able to sleep, I feel anguish," she said. "He has been wonderful for our country. I have faith he will get better."One woman, Maria Cristina Rojas, shed a few tears as she came out of the chapel. She said she was worried about the announced worsening of Mr Chavez's health. "I haven't been able to sleep, I feel anguish," she said. "He has been wonderful for our country. I have faith he will get better."
People have come from outside Caracas to pray here. The chapel was renovated over the past few weeks, after the announcement of Mr Chavez's return to the country. It was inaugurated on Friday night during a sombre televised ceremony with the participation of all government officials.People have come from outside Caracas to pray here. The chapel was renovated over the past few weeks, after the announcement of Mr Chavez's return to the country. It was inaugurated on Friday night during a sombre televised ceremony with the participation of all government officials.
In recent days, the opposition have condemned what they say is the lack of clarity surrounding his condition.
"The lack of precise information worries Venezuelans and fuels rumours," said Ramon Guillermo Aveledo of the opposition Democratic Unity coalition."The lack of precise information worries Venezuelans and fuels rumours," said Ramon Guillermo Aveledo of the opposition Democratic Unity coalition.
At the weekend, hundreds of Venezuelan students and opposition members marched in Caracas demanding full details about Mr Chavez's health.At the weekend, hundreds of Venezuelan students and opposition members marched in Caracas demanding full details about Mr Chavez's health.
Information Minister Ernesto Villegas accused Mr Chavez's opponents of showing "the same hatred that they have shown towards Chavez all these years.Information Minister Ernesto Villegas accused Mr Chavez's opponents of showing "the same hatred that they have shown towards Chavez all these years.
"It annoys them that he won't give up and neither will the people!," he wrote on his Twitter account."It annoys them that he won't give up and neither will the people!," he wrote on his Twitter account.
On Monday Mr Villegas announced from the military hospital where Mr Chavez is being treated that he had suffered "a worsening of respiratory function" and that his condition continued to be "very delicate".On Monday Mr Villegas announced from the military hospital where Mr Chavez is being treated that he had suffered "a worsening of respiratory function" and that his condition continued to be "very delicate".
He said Mr Chavez was undergoing "intensive chemotherapy, as well as complementary treatments".He said Mr Chavez was undergoing "intensive chemotherapy, as well as complementary treatments".
"The commander-president remains clinging to Christ and to life, conscious of the difficulties that he is facing, and complying strictly with the programme designed by his medical team," Mr Villegas said."The commander-president remains clinging to Christ and to life, conscious of the difficulties that he is facing, and complying strictly with the programme designed by his medical team," Mr Villegas said.
Mr Chavez, who has been in office for 14 years, is believed to have cancer in his pelvic area, but his exact illness has never been disclosed.Mr Chavez, who has been in office for 14 years, is believed to have cancer in his pelvic area, but his exact illness has never been disclosed.
He announced in June 2011 that he had cancer and has undergone four operations since then, as well as chemotherapy and radiation therapy.He announced in June 2011 that he had cancer and has undergone four operations since then, as well as chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
The president was re-elected for another six-year term in October 2012, but the Supreme Court ruled that his swearing-in on 10 January could be delayed because of his illness.The president was re-elected for another six-year term in October 2012, but the Supreme Court ruled that his swearing-in on 10 January could be delayed because of his illness.
He is said to be taking decisions about the country from the hospital bed but there have been mixed messages from officials on his condition.He is said to be taking decisions about the country from the hospital bed but there have been mixed messages from officials on his condition.
Are you in Venezuela? Are you unsure if President Hugo Chavez is fit to govern? Send us your thoughts using the form below.Are you in Venezuela? Are you unsure if President Hugo Chavez is fit to govern? Send us your thoughts using the form below.