Chávez asks Maduro to seek rapproachment with the private sector

Executive Vice-President Nicolás Maduro returned early on Saturday to Venezuela from Cuba and said he talked to President Hugo Chávez about various issues, adding that Chávez asked him to "send a message of encouragement to private entrepreneurs."

Also in the economic field, Maduro stressed that Chávez signed a number of decisions related to Venezuela's gold reserves, which will be explained later by Petroleum and Mining Minister Rafael Ramírez.

Regarding Chávez's health, Maduro said an official report would be released on Saturday to elaborate on Chávez's progress. "He is in the best moment we have seen him in these days of struggle" following his fourth cancer operation in Cuba.

"Chávez is clinging to life," Maduro said and insisted that Chávez is leading the Venezuelan Government.

"We may anticipate that the Commander is in a stage of complementary treatments to deal with this disease," Maduro explained, adding that Chávez is "climbing the hill."

In the political arena, Maduro said Chávez approved "the selection of candidates for mayors" of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV).

Chávez "called upon people to be on alert against the plots of imperialism," Maduro said.