Venezuela's President Fighting Severe Lung Infection
Venezuela's government says President Hugo Chavez is facing complications from a severe lung infection.
Information Minister Ernesto Villegas said Thursday that the lung infection has caused a "breathing insufficiency" that requires Chavez to strictly comply with medical treatment. He gave no further details.
The Venezuelan leader has not been seen in public since undergoing cancer surgery in Cuba on December 11. He was first diagnosed with cancer in 2011, but has never disclosed the type or severity.
Earlier this week, Vice President Nicolas Maduro described Chavez's condition as "delicate."
Venezuelan opposition leaders have been demanding more information about the president's condition.
He is scheduled to sworn in for a new six-year term on January 10, after defeating opposition leader Henrique Capriles in October polling.
Venezuela's constitution stipulates if the president dies or is declared incapacitated, a new election must be held within 30 days.
Villegas condemned international media reports on Chavez, saying the media was waging a "psychological war" aimed at destabilizing the country.
Hugo Chavez Dead at 58
1/15Hugo Chavez with his daughters, Maria Gabriela, left, and Rosa Virginia at an unknown location in Havana, Cuba, February 14, 2013.
Venezuelan officials say President Hugo Chavez has died after a long struggle with cancer.
2/15Hugo Chavez speaks at the Plaza Caracas, Feburary 4, 1998 during celebrations for the anniverary of the 1992 Venezuelan coup.
Venezuelan officials say President Hugo Chavez has died after a long struggle with cancer.
3/15Chavez waves to the crowd after announcing his candidacy for the presidency in downtown Caracas Plaza, Venezuela, July 29, 1997.
Venezuelan officials say President Hugo Chavez has died after a long struggle with cancer.
4/15President Barack Obama shakes hands with Chavez before the opening session of the 5th Summit of the Americas in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, April 17, 2009.
Venezuelan officials say President Hugo Chavez has died after a long struggle with cancer.
5/15Cuba's Fidel Castro, right, and Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez embrace in La Orchila island, Venezuela, December 22, 2003.
Venezuelan officials say President Hugo Chavez has died after a long struggle with cancer.
6/15This picture released by Cuba's state newspaper Granma shows Cuba's President Raul Castro meeting Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez at the Jose Marti International airport in Havana, Cuba, December 10, 2012.
Venezuelan officials say President Hugo Chavez has died after a long struggle with cancer.
7/15Hugo Chavez holds a microphone under pouring rain during his closing campaign rally in Caracas, October 4, 2012.
Venezuelan officials say President Hugo Chavez has died after a long struggle with cancer.
8/15Chavez attends a special session at the National Assembly commemorating the country's Independence Day, in Caracas, Venezuela, July 5, 2012.
Venezuelan officials say President Hugo Chavez has died after a long struggle with cancer.
9/15Hugo Chavez, center, Aristobulo Izturi, left, and Pablo Medina appear at a Caracas rally Friday, April 24, 1998.
Venezuelan officials say President Hugo Chavez has died after a long struggle with cancer.
10/15Chavez runs the bases after hiting a double during an exhibition softball game in Caracas, February 11, 2010.
Venezuelan officials say President Hugo Chavez has died after a long struggle with cancer.
11/15Supporters of Chavez pray for the ailing president at the military hospital's chapel in Caracas, March 5, 2013.
Venezuelan officials say President Hugo Chavez has died after a long struggle with cancer.
12/15A woman carries an image of Chavez before a mass in support of him in Havana, Cuba, December 13, 2012.
Venezuelan officials say President Hugo Chavez has died after a long struggle with cancer.
13/15Chavez, left, speaks with an electoral worker at a polling station before casting his ballot for the presidential election in Caracas, October 7, 2012.
Venezuelan officials say President Hugo Chavez has died after a long struggle with cancer.
14/15Chavez greets supporters during his caravan from Miraflores presidential palace to the airport in Caracas, February 24, 2012.
Venezuelan officials say President Hugo Chavez has died after a long struggle with cancer.
15/15Chavez shares a moment with his daughter Rosa as he attends a concert in his honor at the Teresa Carreno theater in Caracas, February 23, 2012.
Venezuelan officials say President Hugo Chavez has died after a long struggle with cancer.
The Voice of America provides news and information in more than 40 languages to an estimated weekly audience of over 326 million people. Stories with the VOA News byline are the work of multiple VOA journalists and may contain information from wire service reports.
