Hugo Chavez: Two months out of power and questions increase

February 9, 2013
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President Hugo Chavez on Sunday met two months of absence in Caracas, and although he has not appeared in public since his fourth operation for cancer, the government says he is recovered and remains in command but Venezuela remains clueless about its political future.

The latest information on Chavez’ status was given Friday afternoon by the vice president Nicolás Maduro, who read a message from the president.

“I’m on a slow recovery process, but I’m in battle,” read the vice president, after the government announced a devaluation of the Venezuelan currency, of 4.3 bolivars per dollar to 6.3 per dollar.

The devaluation of the bolivar was expected since late last year by analysts and entrepreneurs, especially to reduce the fiscal deficit and alleviate pressures on the foreign exchange market, despite frequent denials from the government, which was set at 4.30 exchange rate in 2013 budget.