Hugo Chavez Near Death, Venezuela President NOT Dead: Hospitalized, Surviving on Breathing Tube

Rumors of Hugo Chavez's death have not been greatly exaggerated. While the Venezuelan President has not passed on, he is currently teetering on the edge of death. 

CNN reported on Wednesday evening that  Hugo Chavez, who has held the position of President of Venezuela since 1999, had died. 

The 58-year-old president had been struggling with cancer for a while and reports from Chavez's Vice President Nicolás Maduro  admitted that the leader's health was not improving. Chavez was even too ill to attend his own inaugural celebration. However, it appears the report of Chavez's demise from Panamanian source Guillermo Cochez, was incorrect.

Maduro claims the president is "is battling there for his health, for his life, and we're accompanying him." 

(Cochez also reported last year that Chavez was brain-dead. Photos of the leader since this date have disproved the allegation.)

Chavez is still hospitalized and can only breath through a tracheal tube. In spite of this, a poll by Luis Vicente Leon shows that 58 percent of Venezuelans belive that Chavez will return to power.