“Hugo Chavez is Not in a Coma”

At least that’s what his older brother Adan says.  He also says Hugo is “improving daily”.  And he says rumors to the contrary are being spread by “necrophiliac opposition” as part of an anti-Chavez conspiracy.

Adan, amigo – I do not think that word means what you think it means.  At least, not in this context.  Wondering if someone who appears to have vanished for over a month after their third fourth cancer surgery in 18 months might be in a coma is hardly an “excessive preoccupation with death”; it’s a reasonable question.  And, frankly, at this point I’ll need a little more than your word before I’ll believe your brother is “not in a coma” and is “improving daily”.

Maybe Adan is telling the truth – well, except for that part about the necrophiliac opposition, which is obviously bull.  But it’s interesting that Hugo Chavez – a bona fide lover of the limelight – has not been seen or heard from since his last cancer surgery over a month ago (Dec 11).  No photos.  No recorded statements.  No written statements. No interviews – either with Hugo or his doctors.  Nada.

All we’ve heard are statements that Hugo Chavez is “doing well” by people who have a vested interest in his remaining in power.

Sorry, but not being heard from for over a month rather argues against him “doing well” or “improving” a helluva lot.  If Hugo Chavez is “doing well” and “improving daily”, why haven’t we heard squat from him?

I also find it curious that a reported friend of Hugo Chavez – Argentine President Cristina Fernandez – recently went to visit him.  She was questioned by reporters afterwards.  Perhaps significantly, Fernandez did not indicate she had actually seen or met with Hugo Chavez during her trip to see him.  She also did not confirm Adan Chavez’s statements, indicating that she felt Hugo’s condition was a family matter and that she felt it would be “inappropriate” for her to comment.

Somehow, that sounds more to me like a deliberate sidestep of the question than a true concern for the Chavez family’s privacy.  But I guess I could be wrong.

In any case:  whether Hugo Chavez is in a coma or not, it’s obvious he’s incommunicado and incapacitated.  Whether he recovers is the proverbial “$64 question”.

Based on what’s known of his medical history, I wouldn’t give good odds on his survival.  But, like a cockroach Hugo Chavez is a natural survivor.  He might well survive this surgery, too.

But I don’t think he’s going to be around terribly long if he does.

Category: Hugo Chavez