More Questions about Chávez’s Health

Via the BBC:  Hugo Chavez denies media reports of health emergency

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has denied US media reports that he was rushed to hospital with kidney failure linked to his cancer treatment.

"I’m fine, I’m having my first coffee of the day," Mr Chavez, 57, told state TV by telephone.

Mr Chavez, who had a fourth and final round of chemotherapy last week, urged Venezuelans to ignore such rumours.

The Miami-based Nuevo Herald newspaper had quoted hospital sources as saying he was in a serious condition.

In a telephone interview with VTV, Mr Chavez said reports about his health were untrue.

"I ask the Venezuelan people to ignore these rumours. If anything happened, I’d be the first person to tell you about any difficulty," he said.

One does wonder as to how healthy the man actually is.

He stands for re-election later this year.

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Steven L. Taylor
About Steven L. Taylor
Steven L. Taylor is a Professor of Political Science and a College of Arts and Sciences Dean. His main areas of expertise include parties, elections, and the institutional design of democracies. His most recent book is the co-authored A Different Democracy: American Government in a 31-Country Perspective. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Texas and his BA from the University of California, Irvine. He has been blogging since 2003 (originally at the now defunct Poliblog). Follow Steven on Twitter