President Hugo Chavez announced a new $4 billion loan from China and discussed his health in a televised appearance Saturday, saying he is exercising each morning as part of a strict regime while recovering from cancer surgery. Chavez said the latest loan from China will go to boost development projects in Venezuela such as railways, adding that his government will put $2 billion of its own into the projects.
China has become Venezuela's biggest foreign lender in recent years, agreeing to provide more than $32 billion to be repaid in oil shipments.
The live broadcast on state television was suddenly interrupted when Chavez noted that Venezuela's national soccer team was playing a tight game against Ecuador in the Copa America tournament.
Shortly after Venezuela won the match, the broadcast of the meeting resumed. Chavez, flanked by his daughter Maria, read a list of orders from his doctors. Chavez shared jokes and laughs with government officials, saying he exercises at least one hour every morning, lifts weights, follows a strict diet, changes bandages and takes calcium supplements.
The former paratroop commander lambasted his political opponents, some of whom have suggested his illness could be a hoax purportedly designed by Cuba's Fidel Castro to boost Chavez's popularity ahead of next year's presidential election.