Government officials have offered repeated assurances that Chavez is recovering well in Havana, but many Venezuelans are wondering if they are getting the true story.

Nobody has heard him speak since he talked by telephone with Venezuelan state television on June 12, saying he was quickly recovering from surgery two days earlier for a pelvic abscess. Chavez, who turns 57 next month, said medical tests showed no sign of any “malignant” illness.

The only glimpse of Chavez came when the Cuban government released photos of the Venezuelan leader at the hospital with Fidel Castro and Cuban President Raul Castro on June 17. In one, Chavez seems to lean on 80-year-old Raul Castro for support. Venezuelan officials have limited their comments on Chavez’s health to saying that he’s recuperating and have provided few details. It is not even clear exactly when he will return to Venezuela.

Even before his pelvic surgery, a knee injury forced him to postpone a trip to Brazil, Ecuador and Cuba. The paucity of information has fed a stream of speculation about the socialist president’s condition as well as outlandish gossip on both sides of Venezuela’s deep political divide.

Some people suspect Chavez has been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness such as prostate or colon cancer while others claim doctors botched liposuction surgery and he suffered an infection.

Authorities have sought to quash such talk. “In response to all the rumors, I can give faith that the president is recovering in a satisfactory manner,” Adan Chavez, one of the leader’s brothers, who is a state governor, told state television has said.

“The president is a strong man.” Adan Chavez added that “it’s not clear” when his younger brother would return home, but said the president is expected to leave Cuba within 10 to 12 days.

“I fear his condition could be worse then than they want to tell us, but I trust in God the president isn’t in danger,” said Magalis Gonzalez, a street vendor who was among about 100 Chavez supporters who attended a prayer meeting in downtown Caracas to wish the president a speedy recovery.

Officials say Chavez underwent surgery June 10 for a pelvic abscess, which is an accumulation of pus that can have various causes, including infection or surgical complications. Neither Chavez nor doctors treating him have disclosed what caused the abscess.