Little change in Chavez approval rating despite illness

President Hugo Chavez's approval ratings remain in the 50% range, but a majority of Venezuelans disapprove of the government's performance on key issues such as crime, corruption and the economy, according to a poll.

The survey by the Caracas-based polling firm Datanalisis said Mr Chavez's popularity stood at about 49% in late July, similar to his 50% rating the previous month.