Venezuela Govt. says Chavez condition unchanged

Venezuelan Minister of Communication and Information Ernesto Villegas said on Monday that the health status of President Hugo Chavez has not changed since the previous report last week.“The president’s condition has not changed since the last bulletin that reported a pulmonary infection that hindered Commandante Chavez’s breathing following a surgery,” Villegas said in a statement broadcast on Venezuelan state televison.

The minister added that Chavez's treatment is being applied "constantly and rigorously."

Chavez underwent on December 11 in Cuba his third operation for a cancer. The ailing 58-year-old Venezuelan leader has been away from politics in his country ever since.

Chavez is scheduled to be inaugurated to a new six-year presidential term on January 10, 2013, but the government said it could be postponed due to the president’s health problems.

Venezuela's opposition has already accused the government of violating the constitution as it stipulates that new presidential elections must be held within 30 days if Chavez is not fit enough to be sworn in on the scheduled date.