Venezuelans put aside political differences yesterday and prayed for ailing Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez, who is in delicate condition after a fourth operation for cancer that could cut short his mercurial 14-year rule.
The former soldier, who won re-election just two months ago, had a six-hour operation in Cuba on Tuesday after a third bout with cancer in his pelvic region.
His downturn threatens to upend a self- styled socialist revolution that has divided voters.
Lavish spending of oil revenue has led millions to hail him as a modern-day liberator, while his concentration of power and attacks on private businesses have infuriated adversaries, who call him a fledgling dictator.
For now, though, even some of his fierce opponents have voiced support for Mr Chávez.
“The truth is that as Christians we have to wish that the president gets better,” said opposition legislator Ismael García, who also insisted the government provide more information about Mr Chávez’s condition.
The ashen faces of cabinet ministers and sombre tone of the terse official statements since the operation appear to suggest top government officials are preparing for the worst. – (Reuters)