Hugo Chavez brother says he’s not in a coma

GlobalPost

Don't believe the hype.

Cancer-stricken Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is not in a coma, his brother says.

In a statement Saturday following a visit to Havana, Adnan Chavez said his brother "continues to assimilate treatment well" and is improving daily.

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"Information on social networks and in other places, saying the president is in a coma and his family are discussing the supposed disconnection of life support equipment, are totally false," the statement added, according to Reuters.

The 58-year-old socialist leader has not been seen or heard from since undergoing cancer surgery Dec. 11, rattling the nation and stoking rumors over his health.

More from GlobalPost: Hugo Chavez suffers 'new complications' after latest cancer surgery

Chavez missed his inauguration last week, although the country's Supreme Court ruled it could be indefinitely postponed.

That has not sit well with some, and opposition politicians told The Associated Press on Saturday that they're preparing to challenge the ruling.

Cuban President and fellow socialist Raul Castro, meanwhile, voiced his support Saturday for the Venezuelan government, AFP reported.

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