Communication minister: Chávez breathes through a tracheal cannula

Venezuelan Information and Communication Minister Ernesto Villegas said Friday in an official statement that Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez is currently breathing through a tracheal cannula due to lingering respiratory distress.

"The respiratory infection that emerged during the post-operative stage was controlled, but some degree of respiratory distress remains. Given this circumstance, which is being treated accordingly, Commander Chávez is currently breathing through a tracheal cannula, which temporarily hinders his speech," explained Villegas.

"The medical team is administering a rigorous treatment to deal with the base disease, which is not exempt from complications. The patient cooperates with the treatment and rehab in close coordination with the medical team in charge," the minister added.   

Villegas said that Chávez "is conscious, with full intellectual functions, and in close communication with his cabinet."

Additionally, photos of Chávez along with his daughters and reading the Granma newspaper edition of February 14 were published during a brief nationwide mandatory radio and television broadcast. The official statement came 68 days after the Venezuelan president left for Cuba to undergo surgery.

The pictures were disclosed by Science and Technology Minister Jorge Arreaza, who is Chávez's son-in-law.

Arreaza stressed that the post-surgery images would bring "calm" to the Venezuelan people and supplement the medical report provided.

Twitter: @ocarinaespinoza

Translated by Jhean Cabrera