corrente

I hope he doesn't smoke cigars...

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is fine despite rumors about his health after the cancellation of his weekend radio and TV show, a government official said Monday.

Information Minister Andres Izarra told the television station Globovision "there is no reason to be alarmed."

"There is nothing abnormal or extraordinary occurring," Izarra said. He said the 50-year-old president was well and handling government business as usual on Monday.

Izarra made the comments after hundreds of government supporters went to the Miraflores presidential palace Sunday demanding to see Chavez to check he was all right, the government said in a statement.

Chavez was last seen in public on Friday. He was expected to attend a pro-government march on Saturday, but his attendance was canceled.

His radio and TV show "Hello President" was canceled on Sunday. Izarra told state television and radio Sunday that Chavez turned over his airtime to allow the broadcast of a volleyball match between Venezuela and Brazil, citing family commitments. Izarra said Chavez was "spending time with his family, as every human being has a right to do."
(via AP)

Not that I'm paranoid...

And no doubt in Venezuela "spending more time with his family" means something quite different than it does here. But still....