Venezuela releases first photos of sick Chavez

CARACAS - Agence France-Presse

In this photo released Friday, Feb. 15, 2013 by Miraflores Presidential Press Office, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, center, poses for a photo with his daughters, Maria Gabriela, left, and Rosa Virginia at an unknown location in Havana, Cuba, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013. AP Photo

Venezuela on Friday released the first photos of President Hugo Chavez since he underwent his fourth round of cancer surgery in Havana back in December.

The shots gave Venezuelans living in a state of limbo without their once media-happy and larger than life commandante a first glimpse of him as he convalesces. Chavez has been fitted with a breathing tube in his throat, making it hard for him to speak, the government said.

Chavez remains in Havana undergoing unspecified treatments following his fourth cancer-related operation on Dec. 11. He hasn't been seen or spoken publicly in more than two months.