The 58-year-old Venezuelan leader suffers another setback during his recovery from cancer surgery. (Creative Commons)

Chavez had already suffered unexpected bleeding caused by the six-hour operation on Dec. 11 for an undisclosed form of cancer in his pelvic region. The 58-year-old socialist leader has undergone four cancer operations.

In a somber broadcast on Sunday, Vice President Nicolas Maduro spread the news to supporters. Chavez has not been seen in public nor heard from in three weeks.

"Just a few minutes ago we were with President Chavez. He greeted us and he himself talked about these complications," Maduro said. "Thanks to his physical and spiritual strength, Comandante Chavez is confronting this difficult situation."

A senior government official confirmed that a New Year's Eve party planned to take place in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas has been cancelled.

"Everyone pray for strength for our comandante to overcome this difficult moment," the official, Jacqueline Faria, wrote on Twitter after making the announcement.

Read the full story at Reuters. Find more Neon Tommy stories on Hugo Chavez here.

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