Communication minister: Chávez is performing pre-operational protocol

Venezuelan Minister of Communication and Information Ernesto Villegas read out in a nationwide obligatory simultaneous broadcast a notice from the medical team who takes care of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez in Havana, Cuba.

The Venezuelan leader "has started to perform the pre-operational protocol for the surgery to be conducted on the leader of the Bolivarian revolution on Tuesday, December 11, 2012," the notice reads.

Doctors expressed optimism about "a successful operation within the framework of the treatment followed by Commander Hugo Chávez for the full recovery of his health."

Furthermore, the Venezuelan government reasserted its "unshakable loyalty" to the Head of State and voiced gratitude for the "multiple expressions" of solidarity from all around the world.

Likewise, the Executive Office urged the people "to keep united in a prayer" for the president's health.

Earlier, Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa, who visited Chávez on Monday in Havana, informed that his counterpart was undergoing "right now a very delicate operation."

In his presentation, Minister Villegas clarified that he was following the orders of Vice-President Nicolás Maduro.