CARACAS, (AP):

Venezuelans held a candlelight vigil last Friday for President Hugo Chávez, praying for their leader while he remained in a hospital undergoing cancer treatment.

Chávez's supporters gathered on a wide stairway in a hillside park near the presidential palace.

They lit candles at sunset and sang along with a recording of a healthy Chávez belting out the national anthem. Some wiped away tears. Others closed their eyes and prayed.

Some said they felt sad, yet still hopeful that Chavez might be able to survive.

"We're praying for the president, for him to get through all of this," said Ana Perez, a seamstress holding a candle and shielding her flame from the breeze with a piece of paper.

Fighting complications

Her eyes filled with tears as she talked about Chávez. "There is no other president like this one. He's unique," she said, wiping a wet cheek.

"He's going to come out of all of this, and he's going to get better," Perez said. "He's survived many hard things. He's strong."

A group of indigenous people wearing colourful dresses, beads and feathers danced around a bonfire at the base of the stairs. One man blew on a conch shell, while others shook maracas as they danced around the flames.

Chávez hasn't been seen since he returned to Venezuela last Monday from Cuba, where for 10 weeks he was recovering and fighting complications following his latest cancer surgery December 11.

Vice President Nicolas Maduro said Friday night that he and other officials had met with Chávez at the military hospital.

Maduro said Chávez is continuing to undergo treatment for "respiratory insufficiency" and is breathing through a tracheal tube, which hinders speech.

"He communicated with us through various written ways to give us his guidance," Maduro said, speaking on television alongside other aides at the hospital.

Maduro said Chávez was smiling and in an energetic mood, "with an immense strength of will."