Chavez suffers serious health setback

(Vatican Radio) Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who's battling to overcome a fourth round of cancer surgery, has suffered yet another serious setback. James Blears reports Listen:

Hand picked successor and Vice President of Venezuela Nocolas Maduro, who's been visiting Hugo Chavez in Cuba, says The President is suffering new complications.

But he also confirms that these fresh problems are related to the lingering respiratory illness, which developed since Chavez underwent six hours of surgery on December 11th. That was complicated by prolongued bleeding.

Maduro tersely describes his Leader's present condition as: "Delicate."

Hugo Chavez who's been in power since 1999, won re-election in October, to serve another six year term. His official inauguration date of January 10th, can be put back some time, according to officials.

Maduro says these latest complications are being treated, but the process is not without risk.

Although it's not being spelled out, and in spirte of Hugo Chavez's great determination, the immediate prognosis, appears to be bleak.