Venezuela's government has postponed a regional summit scheduled for July 5, citing President Hugo Chavez's health as he recovers from surgery in Cuba.
Wednesday's cancellation of the inaugural July 5-6 summit for the CELAC bloc also cast doubt on Chavez's return for July 5 celebrations in Venezuela, marking its bicentennial of independence from Spain.
The decision to put off the summit of the Latin American leaders until later this year was announced shortly after new videos aired on state television showed Chavez chatting with Cuban icon Fidel Castro.
Chavez's televised appearance broke a long post-surgery silence that has prompted speculation about his health.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2011/06/2011629222614233974.html