Cancer-stricken Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s lung infection has been controlled and his medical state is improving more than a month after his latest surgery in Cuba, the Government said on Sunday.

Many Venezuelans are assuming his momentous 14-year rule of the South American Opec nation could be nearing the end

“Despite his delicate state... in recent days the general medical evolution has been favourable,” said the latest official health update, which was relatively positive compared to others but still illustrated the gravity of Chavez’s situation.

“The respiratory infection is controlled, though the commander-President still requires specific measures to solve breathing insufficiency... he is conscious.”

The communiqué, which gave no more details on his condition, came as the three most powerful government figures after Chavez gathered in Havana to check on him and meet with Cuban allies. Vice-President Nicolas Maduro, Congress head Diosdado Cabello, and Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez have been shuttling to and from Cuba since the 58-year-old socialist president’s fourth and most serious cancer operation a month ago.

Chavez, who missed his own inauguration for a new, six-year term last week, has not been seen or heard from in public since the surgery. Many Venezuelans are assuming his momentous 14-year rule of the South American Opec nation could be nearing an end.

“We are all Chavez!” and “Chavez will return!” were among slogans sang and chanted at numerous solidarity rallies, meetings and concerts across Venezuela over the weekend, which drew thousands of passionate and anxious supporters.

Venezuelan state TV on Sunday even split its screen into four to show events going on around the nation.

“The situation is complex and delicate,” Elias Jaua, a former Vice-President and ally of Chavez, told one rally.

“He continues battling for his life.”

Villegas said Maduro, whom Chavez has designated his successor, informed his boss of the outpouring at home. State media said Maduro, Cabello, Ramirez – who also heads the powerful state oil company PDVSA – and Attorney General Cilia Flores all met Cuban President Raul Castro over the weekend. But there were no details of the talks.

The joint presence of top Venezuelan officials in Havana inevitably deepens rumours that Chavez is at death’s door – and draws opposition criticism that Raul and Fidel Castro are giving instructions behind the scenes.

“We know which commander is giving the orders to Chavista leaders,” opposition legislator Maria Corina Machado tweeted sarcastically, in a reference to the Cuban President.

Officials have been lashing “necrophilic” opponents for such criticism, and Chavez’s brother said on Saturday that he was improving daily and not in a coma as rumoured.

Another opposition leader, Julio Borges, said the secrecy around Chavez’s precise condition was unacceptable.

“No one is asking for details of the operation or the President’s treatment, but that simply they tell the truth about his health prognosis,” said Borges, a right-wing legislator who wants Chavez formally declared absent from office.

That would trigger the naming of a caretaker President, and an election within a month. But Venezuela’s Supreme Court has ratified that Chavez remains President with Maduro in charge as No. 2 until Chavez’s health situation is clarified.

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.