Venezuela’s president Hugo Chavez has suffered “new complications” following his cancer surgery in Cuba.

Allies of President Hugo Chavez assured Venezuelans the leftist leader is firmly in control of the country and improving after emergency surgery in Cuba, comments meant to dampen speculation about his health.

Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez is set to assume unbridled powers to remake society as the National Assembly prepares to grant him authority to enact sweeping measures by presidential decree.