Posts
President Hugo Chavez, 56, is still recuperating in La Habana...after an operation to remove a pelvic abscess.
He is running Venezuela's government from his hospital bed...after orders to rest for several more days. Chavez couldn't predict his return to Caracas...except that “it won’t be long.”
Now the long stay-over there... is giving his critics an opportunity to attack him...for flouting the constitution and preferring Cuban doctors to Venezuelans. "Venezuela has been humiliated because we are governed from Cuba, be it by Chavez or by (Fidel) Castro," an opposition legislator shouted in Venezuela's parliament.
NEW!!! LINK!!!
BLOOMBERG: Also... "since traveling to the communist island 9 June and undergoing unannounced surgery to remove a pelvic abscess, the normally hands-on leader has stayed out of the spotlight, making a single telephone call into state-run television. That’s raised questions about the true state of his health after other medical problems this year..."
AND: “We are all worried because we don’t know who’s running the country,” said a 41-year-old messenger in Caracas. “Chavez is very strong, he hasn’t had any serious illness since he took over, but they should clarify things and speak to the people.”
ALSO: On the continuing blackouts. By John Otis.
President Hugo Chavez controls the power sector...but downplays its role in the crisis."Officials first blamed a spike in demand amid rapid economic growth. Then came a 2010 drought that reduced water levels at the country’s hydroelectric dams. But lately the economy has slowed down and torrential rains have filled the dams. So now the government is pointing fingers at the opposition. In speeches, Chavez often claims that electrical plants are being sabotaged by his political foes to make his government look bad ahead of next year’s presidential election."
http://www.theworld.org/2011/06/venezuela-energy-blackouts/
ALSO NEW!!!
Electricity rationing will begin in several yet to be announced regions.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gm83-DlcTtaNXTLK9_huENP4ECyg?docId=cd896361d9c04f6fb734088e4f8f920c
