The president, Hugo Chávez, suspended its program Sunday Aló Presidente, which is transmitted by the channels of state television and radio, due to flu symptoms, said the minister of communications and information, Andres Izarra.

"Unfortunately for presenting symptoms of severe influenza President Chavez can not perform its programme Hello President today (Sunday)," said Izarra.

This would be the edition number 309 of the program that leads Chavez and was scheduled to be broadcast from the city of Calabozo, Guarico state, to present "progress of the Bolivarian revolution" in agriculture.

"We call on behalf of him (Chavez) apologies, especially to the people here, Guarico, said Andres Izarra. ABN