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Chavez' marathon TV show cut short

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-06-02 16:58

CARACAS -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez had promised a four-day marathon edition of his widely watched weekly television talkshow, but unspecified technical problems threw the plans awry this weekend.

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez speaks during his weekly broadcast 'Alo Presidente' in Caracas May 28, 2009. [Agencies]

In a three-line statement, the information ministry said Sunday's "Alo Presidente" program had been canceled for technical reasons. Saturday's show was called off without explanation.

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To mark its 10 years on air, Chavez last week announced an extended edition of the program he frequently uses to criticize the United States and announce major policies like nationalizations in South America's top oil exporter. He planned to do one or two hours-long broadcasts a day.

He also chatted to teens about sex education, talked about problems with his weight.

The next day he challenged a group of right-wing intellectuals, including Peruvian writer Mario Vargas Llosa, to debate ideas on Saturday's show, but the broadcast never materialized.

A member of the president's press team said they had waited on the show's set until late afternoon without learning why it had been pulled.