Officials Report Chavez Suffered From Complications Post-Surgery

Venezuelan Information Minister Ernesto Villegas announced Thursday that President Hugo Chavez had suffered internal bleeding following surgery meant to treat cancer. Villegas said doctors were able to stop the bleeding and that “The patient is in a progressive and favorable recovery of normal vital signs."
This is the third bout of cancer President Hugo Chavez has undergone. Diagnosed in 2011, the president has kept much about his illness a secret. It did not, however, keep him from being reelected earlier this year.
This time around, however, leaders are striking a more somber tone. Vice President Nicolas Maduro, Chavez’s hand-picked successor, said on national television Wednesday said the nation should be prepared for any “difficult scenarios”.
According to the Venezuelan constitution if Chavez is not able to return to Venezuela to begin his new term on January 10, a special election must be held within 30 days