Cuban TV Airs Video of Chavez and Castro

Posted June 28th, 2011 at 8:55 pm (UTC-5)
Leave a comment

Cuban national television has broadcast new photos and video of Venezuela's president Hugo Chavez with former Cuban leader Fidel Castro.

The footage aired Tuesday and showed the two men walking around and chatting amicably. The TV station said the images were taken the same day and that some of Mr. Chavez' relatives also attended the meeting.

President Chavez has not been seen in public since a June 10 operation for what authorities have said was an abscess in his pelvic area. Mr. Chavez's voice was last heard publicly June 12, when he called a television network and said he was on the mend.

Officials say the president is recovering well and should be back for a regional summit beginning July 5 that coincides with the 200th anniversary of Venezuela's independence from Spain.

But opposition figures are demanding more information about the president's health, saying Mr. Chavez and his aides should be more straightforward.

Some opposition politicians say Vice President Elias Jaua should replace Mr. Chavez until he recovers, a move Jaua has rejected.

Despite the absence of the 56-year-old president, his Twitter stream has been active. On Saturday, Mr. Chavez posted messages, including one mentioning visits by his daughter, Rosines, and grandchildren.