A respiratory infection following surgery to treat Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's pelvic cancer has left the politician bed ridden in the hospital, according to a Fox News Latino report.
Ernesto Villegas, Venezuela's Communications Minister, notes that his "general condition...at this time is one of stability," but he's not out of the woods yet.
"That he's stable doesn't mean that he's been completely cured of the infection," says Dr. Carlos Castro of the Columbian League Against Cancer in Bogota. "I don't think he's out of danger. The first 10 days after surgery are very critical, and anything can happen."
The leader just recently secured another six-year term as president during the 2012 elections, a position he has maintained since 1999. Under Chavez' administration, Venezuela's constitution was altered to discard any limit on presidential terms.
Speaking to the political shift that may occur on the event of Chaves' death, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos states, "What would be terrible is if that transition weren't easy, were problematic. That would generate a lot of problems in the region. That's why I've said that Chavez is a factor of stability at this time."
Santos adds, "He wouldn't have said goodbye in that way if he didn't have complications, but today I don't know his exact state of health, and nobody does."
Check back with Latinos Post in the coming days and weeks for updates on Castro's condition.