Hugo Chavez Near Death? Venezuela VP Rejects Claims By Opposition Leaders

Venezuela's moderate opposition has gotten tired of waiting for word on the condition of cancer-stricken President Hugo Chavez, who underwent a fourth surgery on Dec. 11 and has not been seen in public since.

Aside from a few photos of Chavez in February, the public has had no word on his health, other than assurances from Vice President Nicolas Maduro that Chavez is battling for his life but will recover.

In the meantime, Maduro has taken the reins of government.

But this week, rumors began circulating that Chavez had died. Maduro denied those claims but reiterated that Chavez is in poor condition. Henrique Capriles, a moderate who lost the presidential election to Chavez in October of last year, tweeted his disbelief.

"Maduro has repeatedly deceived the followers of the President about his condition. We'll see how they explain to the country all the lies they've been telling about the president's situation."

Maduro ha engañado reiteradamente a los seguidores del Pdte y a los vzlanos sobre la real situación del Pdte

— Henrique Capriles R. (@hcapriles) March 1, 2013

Vamos a ver como le explican al país en los prox.días de todas las mentiras que han dicho sobre la situación del Presidente — Henrique Capriles R. (@hcapriles) March 1, 2013

The political situation in Venezuela has been tense since the beginning of the year, when opposition leaders called for the incapacitated Chavez to step down if he was unable to return from his hospital in Cuba in time to tak the oath of office on Jan. 10.

Chavez didn't make it to his reinauguration, but the Chavez-friendly Supreme Court ruled that since he was already president, the ceremony was just a formality that could be postponed.

Now, nearly two months later, there is agitation in the government. Leaders within Chavez's party have not yet broken ranks, but there are several contenders Maduro will need to shut down if he intends to remain the heir apparent to the president.

But the public as a whole is not yet willing to abandon Chavez. Even faced with news of his dire condition, 60 percent of Venezuelans believe he will recover from his illness.

That blind faith may be rewarded this time, but eventually, Chavez will succumb to his illness, and the country will need to find a way forward without their charismatic leader. That is something for which it may not yet be prepared.