Chavez recovers from surgery in Cuba

(Vatican Radio) The Venezuelan government has released the first photos of President Hugo Chavez, who is trying to recover from a fourth round of cancer surgery in Cuba.

Chavez, whose courage in facing cancer has never been in doubt, is trying to put a brave face on it all. Confined to bed, he is seen smiling weakly, propped up and flanked by his two eldest daughters, while glancing at a topical edition of Cuba's communist party daily newspaper.

Venezuela's information minister, Ernesto Villegas, confirmed that Chavez is breathing through a tracheal tube, making speech difficult. This has been seized upon by Governor Henrique Capriles, who Chavez defeated in October's presidential election. Capriles caustically commented that Venezuelan government officials, who visited Chavez recently, said they were chatting along with him, even though it is now obvious he is unable to speak.

Vice President Nicolas Maduro, who is Chavez's chosen successor should he not be able to continue, was closer to the mark, when he said his leader has been through extremely tough and complex treatments.

Listen to the report by James Blears: