MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Hillary Clinton, Lula da Silva, Chavez closely following CFK recovery evolution

Hillary has a close relationship with Cristina Fernandez said the State Department spokesperson

The US Government said they are closely following the evolution of President Cristina Fernández health after she underwent surgery to remove a thyroid tumour, and highlighted the Argentine leader’s “very good” relationship with Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.

The spokeswoman for the Department of State, Victoria Nuland, thus replied to an Argentine journalist during a routine press conference.

“Hillary Clinton is closely following the situation” the official said, and added that the former First Lady holds a close relationship with Cristina Fernández, according to sources of the US embassy in Argentina. “We are concerned about her health,” she added.

Likewise, former Brazilian President Lula da Silva congratulated the Head of State for the satisfactory outcome of her surgery and highlighted the courage with which she faced her circumstances.

“I received the news that your surgery went well with joy. I’ve followed the courageous attitude you have shown whilst facing this challenge” added Lula da Silva, who is also undergoing a treatment to fight a larynx cancer he was diagnosed two months ago.

“I’m certain that we are together and that we will soon meet again, both of us in good health, and you, like usual, full of energy and your willingness to keep on representing the Argentine people as well as you do,” he said.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez spoke with Cristina Fernández on the phone before her surgery and expressed his confidence on her speedy recovery, official Venezuelan sources confirmed.

Chávez, who underwent a surgery to remove a tumour in Cuba last June, called the President to wish her, her family and all the Argentine people a happy New Year, according to a communiqué released by the Foreign Ministry.

During their phone conversation, “Chávez inquired about the President’s health, expressing his optimism over the result of her surgery and his confidence that she will make a speedy recovery,” the statement concluded.