Holding candles, hundreds pray for Hugo Chavez

[Judi Lynn]

Holding candles, hundreds pray for Hugo Chavez
By IAN JAMES, Associated Press
Updated 7:21 pm, Friday, February 22, 2013

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Hundreds of Venezuelans held a candlelight vigil Friday for President Hugo Chavez, praying for their leader while he remained in a hospital undergoing cancer treatment.

Chavez's supporters gathered on a large staircase in a hillside park near the presidential palace. They lit candles at sunset and sang along with a recording of a healthy Chavez belting out the national anthem.

Some wiped away tears. Others closed their eyes and prayed. Some said they felt sad, yet still hopeful that Chavez might be able to survive.

"We're praying for the president, for him to get through all of this," said Ana Perez, a seamstress holding a candle and shielding her flame from the breeze with a piece of paper.

Her eyes filled with tears as she talked about Chavez. "There is no other president like this one. He's unique," she said, wiping a wet cheek.

More:
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/world/article/Holding-candles-hundreds-pray-for-Hugo-Chavez-4301001.php#ixzz2LhkiZcVf

[Judi Lynn]

1. Indigenous Venezuelans Hold Ritual for Chavez

Indigenous Venezuelans Hold Ritual for Chavez

MOSCOW, February 23 (RIA Novosti) – Supernatural forces were evoked on Friday night in Venezuelan politics, as representatives of the country’s indigenous peoples held a ritual for their ailing president Hugo Chavez.

The ritual, held in downtown Caracas, involved lighting a “sacred fire,” mass dancing and a prayer for presidential health, Venezuelan state news agency AVN reported.

The fire was intended to collect “bad energies” which were then to be disposed of by scattering the ashes over the river, said one of ritual’s co-organizers, an indigenous “wise woman” identified as Betania.

Chavez, 58, appears to need all the help he can get as he continues his battle with cancer. He underwent extensive treatment, including four operations, over the past two years, but was nevertheless unable to attend his own presidential inauguration in January.

The president reportedly struggles with respiratory problems that render him unable to speak, though he spent five hours on Friday issuing written instructions, media reported.

More:
http://en.rian.ru/world/20130223/179640523/Indigenous-Venezuelans-Hold-Ritual-for-Chavez.html

[MADem]

2. He is "not improving."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/22/health-hugo-chavez-not-improving


Health of Hugo Chávez not improving, Venezuelan government indicates
Update on president's breathing problems since return from cancer clinic in Cuba says 'tendency has not been favourable'

Hugo Chávez is still suffering respiratory problems after his operation in Cuba more than two months ago as he continues to battle cancer, the Venezuelan government has said.

"The breathing insufficiency that emerged post-operation persists and the tendency has not been favourable, so it is still being treated," read the first official communique on Chávez's health since his return to Venezuela on Monday....

Supporters pray the socialist president may recover and return to active rule, but many Venezuelans believe he has come home to resign and smooth over a transition or simply to die.

"The patient remains in communication with relatives and the government political group in close collaboration with the medical work group," the statement added. "The president holds firm to Christ, with absolute will to live and maximum discipline in the treatment of his health."