Politics | Venezuela Hugo Chavez 'Clinging to Life' Venezuelan has 'severe' respiratory infection, says official statement By Evann Gastaldo Posted Mar 5, 2013 5:51 AM CST Updated Mar 5, 2013 7:30 AM CST Copied In this Feb. 15, 2013, file photo, a woman holds a copy of a photo released by the government, showing Hugo Chavez at a Havana hospital with two of his daughters, in Caracas, Venezuela. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano, File) Things are not looking good for Hugo Chavez. Unlike the rosy updates we were hearing earlier this year, the latest report on the Venezuelan leader's health has him battling a "severe" new respiratory infection and breathing problems, CNN reports. His condition is "very delicate," per the official statement read on state-run TV last night, as he receives "high-impact chemotherapy" and other treatments for his cancer, Reuters reports. "The commander-president remains clinging to Christ and to life, conscious of the difficulties that he is facing," says Venezuela's information minister. Read These Next A well-known nutrition influencer died after a home birth. Knock on cockpit door triggers emergency landing. An 11-year-old died from a snake bite. His dad thought he was drunk. He enforces Iran's rules for women, allegedly flouts them himself. Report an error