Latin American summit re-run to test Chavez health

Hugo Chavez

CARACAS,  (Reuters) – Venezuelan President Hugo  Chavez hosts a regional summit this week that puts his recovery  from cancer at center stage as he begins his toughest election  campaign yet.

Hugo Chavez

The first meeting of the 33-member Community of Latin  American and Caribbean States (CELAC) on Dec. 2-3 was  originally meant to be held six months ago to coincide with the  200th anniversary of Venezuela’s independence.

But it was called off at the last minute as Chavez  recovered in Cuba after surgery to remove a large tumor.

Back home and back to his old self in many ways, he has  reveled in preparations for a group that he hopes will be an  alternative to the Organization of American States (OAS) and  pointedly does not include the United States or Canada.

“A new organism will be born. This is truly historic,” the  socialist leader said in a lengthy televised cabinet meeting.

“How many years have we been in this battle? It’s a first  step, not the victory. The fight began in 1820 after 300 years  of conquest, domination and genocide by European empires.”

He has been following doctors’ orders to reduce his public  appearances and cut back on his famously workaholic schedule,  so friends and foes alike at the gathering will be looking out  for any clues to his health.

“This is the first time he’s parading in front of all his  regional peers since the cancer. He will want to look good on  the big stage as always,” said one senior Western diplomat.

“Despite all the rumors going around, I’m actually amazed  at how much energy he seems to have. He doesn’t look like a man  who’s dying to me.”

Chavez says he is completely cured after the surgery and  four sessions of chemo-therapy, although cancer experts say it  is too soon to make such a judgment. He has vowed to win  another six-year term at next October’s presidential election.

“ANTI-IMPERIAL”
THEME

Officials here have slammed comments by a conservative  former U.S. assistant secretary of state, Roger Noriega, who  said sources told him Chavez’s cancer was accelerating and that  he was not likely to survive more than six months.

Privately, figures close to Chavez’s administration say  there is great concern about the secrecy around his health.  Even supporters are skeptical about his claim to be cured so  fast, and there are rumors that he may have had a fifth,  undisclosed chemotherapy session.

The CELAC summit will give the theatrical but authoritarian  57-year-old a much-loved opportunity to grandstand at a big  event, and bash the United States at the same time.

Some in his government have played down the “anti-imperial”  theme of the event, and more moderate voices from centrist and  conservative governments participating are expected to carry  the day and restrain the content of any final declarations in  order to avoid a confrontation with Washington.

Venezuela’s foreign minister said the meeting would seek  ways to help insulate member nations from economic turbulence  in the United States and Europe.

The 33 countries that make up CELAC have a combined  population of nearly 600 million people and together comprise  the world’s number one food exporting region. Cuba, which was  suspended from the OAS in 1962, is a member.

The presidents of Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Ecuador have  confirmed their attendance along with delegates from the other  member states.

Chavez’s push for greater regional integration has angered  some at home, with critics saying his bombastic style has  alienated some previously friendly countries and his use of oil  to subsidize foreign allies has held up national development.