VP reads message from ailing Chavez to military
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - In a message read by his vice president, an ailing President Hugo Chavez saluted Venezuela's military during what he called "complicated and difficult" times.
The message offered no new details on Chavez's condition and it was unclear when the president composed it. Chavez has been hospitalized in Cuba since undergoing his fourth cancer-related surgery on Dec. 11. He has not been seen or heard from since.
Chavez said in the message read by Vice President Nicolas Maduro that "I have had to battle once again for my health." He said he was facing a "complicated and difficult" moment and urged Venezuelan soldiers to maintain "civic-military unity."
There have been no updates on Chavez's condition since Maduro announced Monday night that the president was walking and doing some recovery exercises.