Bolivia's president says was unable to see ailing Chavez in Venezuela

UNITED NATIONS: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has endured the most difficult moments of his life, according to Bolivian President Evo Morales, who didn't get to see his ailing ally during a visit to Caracas on his way to New York.

I wasn't able to meet him, I was only able to meet with the head doctor and family, but my understanding is that they are very encouraged, Morales told reporters at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

"My understanding is that they are very encouraged," Morales told a news conference at the United Nations, where he took part in the global launch of International Year of the Quinoa.

"But sometimes diseases, illnesses are difficult to fight." "There are days where the situation of his health is very difficult, according to the information from his ministers.

But now he's returned to Caracas and that's a great relief." Chavez has not spoken in public since his December 11 operation in Cuba.

He was re-elected for a new six-year term in October but was too ill to return from Cuba for a January 10 inauguration, which was postponed.

Chavez is battling cancer in the pelvic region discovered in June 2011 by Cuban doctors and has undergone four cancer-related surgeries on the island.