All the rumors have been confirmed, Chavez has another tumor “in the same place” and has to be operated. He came out to “deny” the rumors by confirming that they were all true.
(Devil is at the beach)
The Devil's Excrement
Observations focused on the problems of an underdeveloped country, Venezuela, with some serendipity about the world (orchids, techs, science, investments, politics) at large. A famous Venezuelan, Juan Pablo Perez Alfonzo, referred to oil as the devil's excrement. For countries, easy wealth appears indeed to be the sure path to failure. Venezuela might be a clear example of that.
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The Devil's Excrement 
February 23, 2012 at 3:22 am
[…] can hear him say it (in […]
February 24, 2012 at 5:04 pm
How are the Castro brothers holding up with their money source in trouble?
Will fidel personally supervise the operation? Fidel believes he can decide on everything else in Cuba. Why not?
February 22, 2012 at 1:09 pm
It’s hard for me to think of anyone deserving more schadenfreude than this guy has coming.
February 22, 2012 at 5:38 pm
Is “Schadenfeude” German for “Karma?”
February 27, 2012 at 5:45 pm
Schadenfreude is taking pleasure in another’s misfortune.
February 22, 2012 at 10:37 am
It’s obvious that you can’t believe anything Thugo says. Who knows if he’s using real health issues to promote his cause and get re-elected as a “martyr” of sorts. He’s already talking about God and “la virgencita”.
Or lying about the real severity of the illness, instead of admitting a plausible recurrence of a CANCER, or metastasis.
Or maybe both. That’s how much he is addicted to power, and will do anything to stay in power.
So he mysteriously goes back again to Cuba to be treated? What’s the deal with that? It’s not Germany or the USA, or Switzeraland, or where ever you can get the best possible medical treatment. Or why not fly 10 top oncology doctors from many countries to Caracas just for him? Because he can’t trust the pathetic conditions of Vzla’s clinics?
It’s just FISHY, as always, anyway you look at it. Twisted.False. Wicked.
I’ll say what a lot of people do think and don’t dare to spit out: I hope the guy cracks.
Hundreds of people die because of his regime every week. Millions have been suffering, and had to leave the country. Millions could be healthier and doing a lot better with Chavez GONE.
What I do believe is in a little thing called Karma.
February 22, 2012 at 5:37 pm
I get where you’re coming from 100%. And this line of thought has been brought up here before.
I’ll simply counter it, based on my opinion alone, that I don’t think he’s going to make his illness MORE serious than it actually is, since he’s been concealing the facts from the start.
February 22, 2012 at 10:12 am
After 13 years in power, the least Thugo could have done is improve the Vzla’s health care “system” as if there were one.
So he has to go to Cuba for treatment? He should stay in a 23 de Enero barrrio, or in Guatire see what most people deal with.
February 22, 2012 at 7:59 am
[…] can hear him say it (in […]
February 22, 2012 at 4:02 am
Lesion?? He can’t even bring himself to say “tumor”…
Pathetic
February 22, 2012 at 12:41 am
Yes, I did it! I conspired to give Chavez cancer again! After all, everything is the U.S. fault so I must have SOME part in it!
February 22, 2012 at 1:40 am
Well you pay taxes so you are sort of part of it. I work at the HAARP facility where we direct radiation into Chavez which causes his cancers. It is the same sort of radiation that causes cellphone cancer (oncohandykrebs), simply beamed over a very long distance using top secret properties of physics no one else knows about.
We also cause all the worlds earthquakes, hurricanes and always make your toast land the butter side down.
February 22, 2012 at 1:46 am
:-O
February 22, 2012 at 6:02 am
My colleagues and I have been irradiating him with Athlete’s Foot, but our aim was off and we zapped him in the groin.
February 22, 2012 at 8:51 am
LOL…!!!
February 21, 2012 at 11:03 pm
From tonight’s Wall Street Journal article:
Alan Venook, head of the gastrointestinal cancer program at University of California, San Francisco, said that despite sketchy details, “this is probably ominous. If they’re doing another operation, the chance this would be self-contained would be very small.”
Dr. Venook said it is likely the recurrent tumor, which Mr. Chávez said Tuesday measured about two centimeters in diameter, or less than an inch, was too small to be causing symptoms, so it was probably caught on imaging scans as part of surveillance after his previous surgery. Catching it early could improve Mr. Chávez’s chances of survival, at least in the near term, Dr. Venook said. Even if is isn’t contained, “he could go many months or a year or two and be quite functional,” he added. “But he’s 57. Is he going to live to be 75? Likely not.”
The fact that the tumor recurred relatively quickly after being removed “is not a good sign,” said Axel Grothey, professor of oncology at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. “The next year or two will be really critical for him as a patient…All of these political things aside, he is someone who is fighting for his life.”
February 21, 2012 at 11:21 pm
This makes a lot of sense. First, that at least one of the observations admit to sketchy details. Second, that Ch could continue to live for a few more years, though with doubtful quality of life.
February 22, 2012 at 6:00 am
Miguel–we have to assume the tumor is much larger than two centimeters, because Chavez SAID that it’s two centimeters.
Assuming this to be the case–assuming Chavez is lying which is always a smart assumption to make–I don’t think it’s too small to be causing problems, and it wasn’t caught on imaging scans:
He’s hurting, and the only way he would go under the knife again is if it WAS causing him problems.
I mean, shouldn’t we all remember that from a few months ago to just last WEEK, he’s been claiming to be completely clean and cured? And all of a sudden, this?
February 22, 2012 at 2:47 pm
Two centimeters in the duodenum, for example, is big.
February 22, 2012 at 5:33 pm
Two centimeters on my penis is huge as well, but where did Chavez or anyone else say that it’s the duodenum?
February 22, 2012 at 10:07 pm
For example, it’s also big in the pancreas, lung, and many other places. The point is, it’s not small unless in some out of the way place where it does not compromise a major organ or gastrointestinal conduit The duodenum, rectum, prostate (probably not), sarcoma of the peritoneum, even the sinuses have all been rumored to be starting places.
February 21, 2012 at 10:23 pm
Miguel, when is your birthday…?
February 21, 2012 at 10:33 pm
End of April
February 21, 2012 at 11:12 pm
I still think he’s lying but how about if your prediction will come true??
February 21, 2012 at 11:18 pm
Well, I dont thinks he is telling the whole truth, but he admitted more today. My prediction maybe off by a month or two, but so far everything is playing according to schedule. If Chavez went to get treatment and were operated somewhere else, I would believe he could last years, but the Cubans don’t have the latest and he did not receive a full chemo treatment. Add the many drygs he is using and things could get complicated at any time.
February 21, 2012 at 9:01 pm
Of course, all this is assuming he is telling the truth. He might just be trying to get sympathy after realizing he is losing the presidential run….
Chavez is a liar.
February 21, 2012 at 9:25 pm
You know,I just knew they would revive the “sympathy for Chavez”-I believe they will play that all the way to the election…
February 21, 2012 at 9:50 pm
Yes, accompanied by “Sympathy For The Devil” as a theme song.
February 22, 2012 at 10:55 am
Is HC loosing the presidential run? Are you sure? He probably has it more difficult than he thought, but as far as loosing (as of, having fewer votes than the opposition), I’m not sure.
Are there any poll numbers reflecting what the vote intent may be right now, between Capriles and HC?
February 22, 2012 at 11:20 am
To me this is the best pollster around:
http://www.noticias24.com/venezuela/noticia/91955/consultores-21-la-competencia-en-esta-campana-esta-equilibrada-entre-el-canque-el-arranque-de-esta-campana-electoral-esta-equilibrada-entre-la-oposicion/
February 22, 2012 at 2:39 pm
Do not believe any electoral encuestas in Venezuela. Chavistas and public employees are afraid to say anything but the party line to interviewers since they don’t know who the encuestadoras really represent, and fear that their answers may be used against them in retaliation. I heard Yepez Gil of Datanalisis scoff at the possibility of Chavez winning his first presidency just 2 months before the election. The other problem is that most encuestadoras are open to the highest bidder (not DATOS, however), and we all know who has the most money to throw around!!!
February 22, 2012 at 2:48 pm
I disagree, Consultores 21 has been very good, Datanalisis has also been precise, but they have tried to hedge their bets a couple of times.
I heard the same thing during the primaries and they were all quite correct.
February 22, 2012 at 10:00 pm
Once again, Yepez, owner of Datanalisi, told a room of 200 2 months before Chavez won big his first presidential election that, “He didn’t have a chance.” Of course, the Adecos were paying him then, as I believe from some of his results since then, the Chavistas have at least been paying him some times. I have worked in market research, made many questionnaires, and know that particularly the Venezuelans by culture, and more importantly by fear in this political environment, will not speak badly about Chavez unless they’re already Opposition. This fact is very difficult, if not impossible, to design a questionnaire to factor out. One of the suppositions of the great Primaries success is that some disgruntled Chavistas voted, since they were not afraid of discovery due to destroyed voting records, no captahuellas, etc.
February 21, 2012 at 7:22 pm
Off topic, I know, but I just spotted this news: http://tinyurl.com/VenOilSpillChavez
Any local news about this?
February 21, 2012 at 7:50 pm
Are you referring to the Monagas oil spill? There is an article about it in this week’s Economist.
February 21, 2012 at 10:32 pm
OldSouth: I have not written about it, because I have little to add to the story.
February 21, 2012 at 11:11 pm
Thanks to both, and best wishes.
OS
February 21, 2012 at 6:53 pm
Unlike our friend GWEH who graduated from the Maybe Skool of Medicine, I know practically nothing about cancer. Nor do I know whether a cancerous regrowth can be operate on a second time, after a year’s “remission”. What I do know, from personal experience, is that even benign cysts (on bone) can grow back, and cause one to undergo surgery a second time — all within the span of a year.
All this to say, I think it’s premature to be preparing the casket.
February 22, 2012 at 11:16 am
Syd, I’m just echoing Bocaranda and know more about cancer and anabolic steroids than you. I’m very aware of AA use terminally ill patients. Thank you.
February 22, 2012 at 11:17 am
correction: anabolic steroid use in terminally ill patients.
February 22, 2012 at 11:22 am
HCF’s cancer is down there (prostate, rectum, etc). These cancers are not helped by AS. That is what the Brasilian docs told the Cuban and Venezuelan docs (as per Bocaranda). This is medically factually correct and I agree.
February 21, 2012 at 6:15 pm
1) He thanked “los santos de la sabana”… His mind was playing tricks, because he normally says “los santos” and “los espíritus de la sabana”, nodding to catholics and to “santeros”.
2) What was he visiting? An empty warehouse?
3) Bocaranda deserves a Pulitzer.
4) Since the cancer came back to “the same place”, I am sure that an update on his survival odds is grim. The treatment is not working….
February 22, 2012 at 3:12 pm
Really..?????? He always says “los santos de la Sabana” He’s a little streesed, but the country still loves him.
February 21, 2012 at 5:37 pm
HCF was/is hitting the juice (anabolic steroids) i.e. testosterone; a double-edge sword for the cancer patient. Maybe prednisone too. Maybe primobolan and nandrolone too but me thinks just test. This will just keep his mood and pecker up while preventing muscle wasting. His bp must be high and needs attention too. He’s still on track for April demise….
February 21, 2012 at 10:23 pm
GWEH, not again with your silly predictions. STFU, please.
February 22, 2012 at 8:13 am
We are lucky. Had Gweh told us everything, he would have had to kill us like Nicholaï Hel used to do in Shibumi.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shibumi_(novel)
Watch out, watch out!
February 22, 2012 at 11:14 am
Kepler, what can I say? Your anti-american views say enough
February 22, 2012 at 11:17 am
asswipe, Bocaranda sources are in Miami. I’m in Miami.
February 22, 2012 at 11:27 am
I have seen people go in 30 days because of cancer. From healthy to dead. I have seen people with cancer take sudden downturns. In Chavez’s case, he can die anytime. That guy can die tomorrow from the cancer ok?
February 22, 2012 at 11:13 am
torito, leiste a bocaranda? deja de ser mari*on
February 22, 2012 at 12:05 am
GWEH,
I think it will be the ides of march, just like Julius Caesar.
February 21, 2012 at 5:03 pm
So, it is looking like HC may not be able to campaign as needed in the next couple of weeks. I think Capriles and the MUD should campaign full steam ahead. As I’ve said before, you never know what nasty trick HC will pull out his sleeve before October.
February 21, 2012 at 5:12 pm
BTW, once again, HC will not go under the knife in Venezuela. He’d rather be operated in Cuba. No surprises here…
February 23, 2012 at 9:17 am
If I were Chavez, I’d be weary of a Cuban “operation” at this time. Yes, he’s been their handmaiden, but with the writing on the wall, if I were in charge in Cuba, I’d rather take Chavez out now, by ‘surprise’ as it were, in the hope that I could maintain control over Venezuela’s petro.
And it’s oh-so-easy to die from such an operation.
(I know the Chavitas monitor this, so I’m hoping that this gives “El Supremeo II” something else to worry about.)
February 21, 2012 at 4:25 pm
February 21, 2012 at 3:45 pm
The emperor is naked and he can’t hide the tumors,
the stooges he’s got mouthing his garbage must be
wondering if to gas-up their private jets.
February 23, 2012 at 9:13 am
Absolutely it’s time for them to leave. Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on your position, most are too greedy to simply leave. And so, they will (hopefully) receive a good portion of what they’ve got coming (justice) in this life, to say nothing of the next.
February 21, 2012 at 3:41 pm
“He came out to “deny” the rumors by confirming that they were all true.”
Are you at the beach echándote palos with a certain bipolar rodent?
February 21, 2012 at 4:03 pm
Gorge Orwell called that double speak, lets just call it bullshitting El Pueblo
February 21, 2012 at 3:34 pm
So, Nelson Bocaranda was on target on this one… The man was in Cuba, and he must have surgery.
February 21, 2012 at 3:34 pm
So he’s going back to Cuba?
February 21, 2012 at 3:42 pm
He said that’s to be determined, but said the procedure should be made “soon”.
February 21, 2012 at 7:08 pm
Thanks.
February 21, 2012 at 10:11 pm
Few hours later he did a phone call to a TV show on VTV and confirmed that he’s going to do it at Cuba.
February 21, 2012 at 3:34 pm
Don’t you just love how Diosdado & Isea now have egg all over their faces for lying to the people AGAIN about the health & rumours about Chavez.
Of course what he has admitted too & what is actually the truth are two very different animals.