Venezuelan President Chavez returns to Cuba for surgery (3)

（Xinhua）  15:15, December 11, 2012

In a televised appearance Saturday night, Chavez named Maduro his successor in case he is unable to fulfill his leadership responsibilities, and asked Venezuelans to vote for Maduro to succeed him as president.

Venezuela's Constitution rules that elections are to be called in 30 days if the president becomes incapacitated.

"We must ensure the progress of the revolution, the victorious march of the revolution, building the new country, building the Venezuelan road to socialism, with broad participation and freedom," Chavez said.

He won the Oct. 7 presidential election with 55 percent of the vote and is due to start his third six-year mandate on Jan. 10.

But his health situation has become a great concern of the nation before the country holds regional elections on Dec. 16.

The opposition has demanded more transparency concerning his health.