Venezuelans take in shifting news on Chavez health

(AP) Venezuelans are beginning 2013 with a respite from shifting news about the health of President Hugo Chavez, who underwent his fourth cancer surgery last month.

The country was largely peaceful Tuesday after a New Year's Eve that saw a main government celebration canceled due to Chavez's illness. Bolivian President Evo Morales issued a New Year's greeting to Chavez lamenting the health problems plaguing his anti-imperialist comrade.

Chavez son-in-law Jorge Arreaza wrote in a Twitter message Monday night that Chavez was calm and stable, accompanied by his children. That followed a grim announcement from Vice President Nicolas Maduro Sunday that the president had suffered new complications from the six-hour surgery.