Venezuela’s leaders meet as Chavez worsens
Mar 5, 2013, 6:04 PM
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) – Vice President Nicolas Maduro is meeting with other top Venezuelan government ministers, the military high command and all 20 loyalist governors in Caracas following word of President Hugo Chavez’s deteriorating health. Among the governors present is Chavez’s older brother, Adan.
Maduro is saying on state television that they are evaluating unspecified strategic projects.
He has not yet mentioned the cancer-stricken president. The government announced Monday night that Chavez was in “very delicate” condition after suffering a new, severe respiratory infection.
Chavez anointed Maduro as his preferred successor before flying to Cuba in early December to undergo a fourth round of surgery for an unspecified cancer in his pelvic area.
The constitution calls for snap presidential elections if Chavez is declared incapable of governing, or dies.
(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
