Opposition leader asks for an acting president

"We have never promoted hate or revenge. Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, and we ask God and the Virgin of Chiquinquirá to protect the president and improve his health," said the governor of the state of Zulia (northwestern Venezuela), Pablo Pérez.

Pérez said that an important issue in Venezuela is the guarantee of governance. "We hope that governance in Venezuela remains."

The leader of opposition Un Nuevo Tiempo (A New Era) party remarked that whenever a state governor or mayor leaves the country, an acting officer is appointed.

"Government can not stop. There must be respect for laws and institutions," the former opposition presidential pre-candidate strongly recommended.

He deemed it advisable, according to laws, to appoint an acting president, following the announcement made on Tuesday by President Chávez.