Hugo Chávez met with ministers in La Habana

Cuba, July 2, 2011

Hugo Chávez remains in La Habana despite the celebrations for the Bicentennial of Venezuela. Today he met with his ministers to continue as the president while he recovers from two surgeries that were done to extirpate a cancerous tumor.

The Venezuelan leader said that “no one expected this disease, but it is good to show the world how this will strengthen us”.

He wanted to show the citizens of his country that he remains in charge of the normal functions done every day by a president and also showed himself optimistic despite the diseases that afflicts him.

The next July 5, the acts for the Bicentennial will start, despite some celebrations already started today without the president. Elías Jaua, the vice-president of Venezuela and Carlos Mata, Ministry of Defense, headed the celebrations

Hugo Chávez underwent surgery in La Habana and is now receiving treatment in the Cuban capital city.

In the photo he can be seen in a meeting with his ministry of Agriculture and Lands, Juan Carlos Loyo, of Energy and Oil, Rafael Ramírez and of Science, Technology and Small Industries, Ricardo Menéndez, to discuss projects towards the future.

In other news and through his twitter account, the Argentine foreign minister Héctor Timerman said he’ll attend to the celebrations of the Bicentennial in Caracas. “This Thursday I’ll be in Caracas to celebrate the Bicentennial of Venezuela with its country and the foreign ministry Nicolás Maduro” he wrote.