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Image: Prensa Presidencial
BY JASMINE BAILEY
ANCHOR CANDICE AVILES
Venezuelan
president Hugo Chavez hasn’t been seen in public since going to Cuba for cancer surgery
last December. After months of unanswered questions and skepticism from the Venezuelan
people.
Univision Noticias:
The government released a picture of Chavez. It was shown
on TV by his son-in-law, Science Minister Jorge Arreaza. In the picture Chavez is lying
in the hospital and posing with his two daughters while looking at the Cuban Communist Party
newspaper.
The BBC reports the 58-year-old was diagnosed with cancer in 2011 and has
since undergone four operations. He is currently using a tracheal tube to breath— making
it difficult to speak.
Al Jazeera points out— the publication of the photo
comes just a day after protests broke out in front of the Cuban embassy. Students are
demanding more government transparency and calling for a status update on Chavez’s
health.
But its not just the protest that may have
sparked the photo op— Venezuelan opposition party leader, Henrique Capriles is, once again,
accusing the Chavez administration of lying. News Channel Asia translated what he said
in a press conference on Thursday.
Info Bae:
"Most probably, they have lied
to us about the condition of the president of the republic during the past two months…If
a person can sign documents, then why can't that person speak to the nation? Therefore,
they are lying -- the president is not really speaking or signing anything.”
By
“documents” Capriles means the devaluation of the Venezuelan currency signed by Chavez
that went into effect last Wednesday.
The value of the Bolivar dropped more than 30
percent against the U.S. dollar, putting the total currency devaluation at more than 992
percent since Chavez originally took office. And FT reports— the devaluation isn’t
exactly helping the Venezuelan economy.
“...a burger at McDonald’s cost $12, two pounds
of chicken $13 and a Volkswagen Golf $45,000…Shortages are common for many staples: rice, oil, flour,
milk, medicines and toilet paper – and cars. Even would-be buyers with money in hand need
to join long waiting lists.”
As for the health of Chavez— the Associated
Press reports Venezuelan Vice President Nicolas Maduro said Chavez is undergoing “extremely
complex and tough treatments.” But was not specific.
According to Al Jazeera,
the Venezuelan government refutes all claims that they have been secretive about Chavez
and his health. But, they have never revealed what type of cancer Chavez is suffering from.