(http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/130228-hugo-chavez-1020a.380;380;7;70;0.jpg)AFPVenezuela's President Hugo Chavez holds a replica of Simon Bolivar's sword during a meeting with military high command members, moments before departing for Cuba to undergo cancer surgery on Dec. 10, 2012, in Caracas. By Mary Murray and Kari Huus, NBC NewsVenezuelan President Hugo Chavez is clinging to life, according to the country's vice president.
"The commander is fighting for his health, for his life," Nicolas Madura said on national TV Thursday.
The statement comes 10 days after Chavez returned to Venezuela from Cuba where he had received two months of treatment for his most recent bout with cancer. It was the clearest public indication to date of the severity of the president's condition.
Upon his return to his home country, Chavez was transported to a hospital in the nation's capital, Caracas.Venezuela's controversial president Hugo Chavez — who makes no secret of his dislike for the U.S. — was re-elected to an unprecedented third term in October, fending off a serious challenge to win decisively, 54 to 45 percent. NBC's Kerry Sanders reports from Caracas. Madura's statement on Thursday contradicted earlier press reports that the populist leader had died but signaled that the prognosis was grim.
Chavez disappeared from the public eye in December to be treated for cancer, but Venezuelans have not been informed of what type of cancer he suffers from, nor the severity. The president was too ill to attend his inauguration in January.Slideshow: Hugo Chavez through the years (http://slideshow.nbcnews.com/id/47359951/displaymode/1247/?wbSlideShowId=47359951&wbSection=news)(http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Slideshows/_production/ss-120509-hugo-chavez/ss-120509-hugo-chavez-tease.380;380;7;70;0.jpg) (http://slideshow.nbcnews.com/id/47359951/displaymode/1247/?wbSlideShowId=47359951&wbSection=news) / The life of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez from his rise as a lieutenant colonel after his failed coup attempt in 1992.Launch slideshowThe president has made repeated trips to Cuba for treatment since 2011 and had not apparently cultivated a protégé to succeed him, sparking criticism that he had created a power vacuum.
The former paratrooper, who has been in power since 1999, has been a thorn in the side of Washington, espousing leftist and anti-American policies, and maintaining close ties with Havana.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
NBC News