MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Foreign Minister Maduro could replace Chavez given his growing fragile health

Nicolas Maduro, considered the most faithful of Chavez cabinet ministers

Venezuelan journalist Nelson Bocaranda said that for the first time President Hugo Chavez is thinking of naming his faithful Foreign Affairs minister Nicolas Maduro as his successor, given the seriousness of the cancer the leader is suffering.

According to Bocaranda, who has given repeated evidence of excellent sources and information, Chavez who just returned to Venezuela from Cuba, will spend three days in multiple activities to show that his health condition has improved.
“He will celebrate several mini cabinet meetings from the presidential palace to show he is in control as usual: a 72-hour show to prove he is ‘recovered’ and to continue giving space for all sorts of speculations. That is all in the three days”.

Bocaranda also mentions that Chavez could be suffering from depression because finally he has been informed in full detail of the seriousness of his illness.

“Denying his condition and the increasing evidence of the advance of the disease, triggers depression on knowing the truth but also on being unable to share it with its followers have become the two main enemies of his recovery”, says Bocaranda quoting sources from the inner circle of Chavez. Cancer was first diagnosed in June 2011, during a routine trip to Cuba.

The agenda of affairs Chavez will address during the time he spends in Venezuela “could be the nomination of Foreign minister Nicolas Maduro as a possible Vice president”, something which allegedly was discussed and drafted when the two were in Cuba.

“The issue was discusses with his brother Adan (Chavez), Maduro and a group of close Venezuelan and Cuban advisors”

Tensions have also arisen in the Venezuelan ruling party, the government and the group that accompanies Chavez to Cuba, which has impeded the visits of Elías Jaua and Diosdado Cabello, two other top officials and close aides of the Venezuelan leader.

Former Brazilian president Lula da Silva sent an envoy to Cuba before Chavez left for Venezuela. Furthermore two of the Brazilian medical staff in the team treating Chavez made a final report and left the country disenchanted with the treatment. Russian and Spanish oncologists have also disagreed with the Cuban experts treating Chavez

In spite of the fragility of Chavez’ health the Venezuelan president insists he will be running as the incumbent candidate in 7 October presidential elections.