In a message via Twitter, Arreaza called upon his compatriots to avoid believing malicious rumors about the health condition of the head of state, the Prensa Latina news agency reported.

On Monday, representatives of the Venezuelan people met at the San Francisco Church, in downtown Caracas, for a mass for the president’s health.

Dozens of citizens attended the mass, in charge of parish priest Numa Molina, who highlighted the strength shown by Chavez.

The mass was also attended by some of the country’s authorities, among them the Minister for Communication and Information, Ernesto Villegas; the capital district’s governor, Jaqueline Faria; and the mayor of the municipality of Libertador, Jorge Rodriguez.

The population responded to the call made by Molina to pray for the health of the statesman, who underwent surgery in Havana, Cuba.

A similar action was carried out at the Bolivar Square in Caracas, in which numerous residents participated.