Hugo Chavez Phones State TV to Dismiss Report of Kidney Failure
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez spoke live by phone on state television today dismissing as “rumors” a newspaper report that he had undergone emergency treatment for kidney failure.
“I’m doing well, here I am taking my first coffee of the day,” said Chavez, who has been undergoing chemotherapy to treat an undisclosed form of cancer. “I’m asking the Venezuelan people not to pay attention to rumors. I would be the first of all Venezuelans to come out and communicate any difficulty.”
El Nuevo Herald, the Spanish-language sister newspaper of the Miami Herald, reported last night that Chavez was admitted to a hospital in Caracas Sept. 27 and would undergo dialysis to treat a possible kidney failure. The report cited people close to the situation whom it did not name.
There were no cameras to film Chavez as he spoke on television, saying he expects to make a full recovery.
“To truly dispel the rumors it would have been best if he came out in person or appeared on the presidential palace balcony for five minutes,” said Boris Segura, a Latin America strategist at Nomura Securities Intl. Inc. in New York. “On the other hand it’s not a good political strategy to come out and deny every single rumor. Chavez would appear to be on the defensive, which is not in his character.”
Itchy Feet
Chavez said he hopes to resume his normal working routine soon and that he couldn’t wait to begin his campaign for a third six-year term in a vote scheduled for October 2012.
“I am undergoing a rigorous timetable of treatment,” Chavez said. “However, my feet are already itching to get out to do battle.”
The former paratrooper had a baseball-sized tumor removed by doctors in Cuba in June though he has provided few details about the state of his health. Since being diagnosed, the 57- year-old has reduced public appearances and suspended his “Alo Presidente” Sunday talk show, on which he sometimes spoke for more than eight hours. Venezuela and Iran last week agreed to postpone a visit by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.