Hugo Chavez in bad health, Skips trade summit, reign may be coming to an end

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez looked set to miss a regional trade summit in Brazil on Friday, officials said, an absence bound to heighten speculation over the leftist leader's health.

Before he went to Cuba last week for more cancer-related treatment, Chavez had enthused about attending the Mercosur bloc's meeting in Brasilia to celebrate Venezuela's entry.

He has not been seen in public since November 15.


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