* Sensitive moment in Venezuela over Chavez's cancer
* Socialist leader fighting to recover from operation
* Leader of Latin America's left seen as heir to Castro
CARACAS, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Venezuela's government reacted
with fury on Friday to U.S. President Barack Obama's criticism
of ailing Hugo Chavez's "authoritarian" government at a time of
national anxiety over his battle to recover from cancer surgery.
In an interview with U.S. network Univision, Obama declined
to speculate on the 58-year-old socialist president's health in
Cuba, where he is in a delicate state after his fourth operation
since mid-2011 for cancer in the pelvic region.
But he did say U.S. policy was aimed at ensuring "freedom"
in Venezuela. "The most important thing is to remember that the
future of Venezuela should be in the hands of the Venezuelan
people. We've seen from Chavez in the past authoritarian
policies, suppression of dissent," Obama told Univision.
Those remarks were a red cloth to officials in Caracas where
emotions are running high over the future of Chavez and his
self-styled revolution in the South American OPEC nation.
In power since 1999, Chavez is due to start a new six-year
term on Jan. 10 after winning re-election just weeks before
Obama did. His health crisis has thrown that into doubt, and
Chavez has named a successor in case he is incapacitated.
"With these despicable comments at such a delicate moment
for Venezuela, the U.S. president is responsible for a major
deterioration in bilateral relations, proving the continuity of
his policy of aggression and disrespect towards our country,"
the Venezuelan government said in a statement.
CASTRO'S HEIR
During his tumultuous 14-year rule, Chavez has taken former
Cuban leader Fidel Castro's mantle as the U.S. government's main
irritant in the region - though oil has continued to flow freely
north to the benefit of both nations' economies.
Adored by poor supporters for his charismatic style and
channeling of Venezuela's oil resources into a wide array of
welfare projects, Chavez is regarded as a dictator by opponents
who point to his often harsh treatment of political foes.
Officials said doctors had to use "corrective measures" to
stop unexpected bleeding caused during Tuesday's six-hour
surgery on Chavez, but his condition had since improved.
A medical update was due later on Friday.
Chavez's situation is being closely tracked around the
region, especially among fellow leftist-run nations from Cuba to
Bolivia who depend on his generous oil subsidies and other aid
for their fragile economies.
"The president is battling hard - this time for his life,
before it was for the Latin American fatherland," said President
Evo Morales of Bolivia, a Chavez friend and ally who announced
he was flying to Havana overnight for an "emergency" visit.
"This is very painful for us."
SPECULATION
Chavez has not divulged details of the cancer that was first
diagnosed in June 2011, sparking endless speculation among
Venezuela's 29 million people and criticism from opposition
leaders for lack of transparency.
"They're hiding something, I think," said Venezuelan
housewife Alicia Marquina, 57. "I'm not convinced by the
announcements they're making. I'm not a 'chavista', but neither
am I cruel, I hope he does not suffer much and finds peace."
If Chavez has to leave office, new elections must be held
within 30 days. Chavez has named his vice president, Nicolas
Maduro, a 50-year-old former bus driver and union leader, as his
heir apparent.
Opposition flagbearer Henrique Capriles, who lost the
presidential race against Chavez in October, is the favorite to
face Maduro should a new vote be held, though first the governor
of Miranda must retain his post in local elections on Sunday.
"The regime change is already occurring," Jefferies'
managing director Siobhan Morden said in one of numerous Wall
Street analyses of events in Venezuela. "The question is whether
the alternative is Chavista-light or the opposition."
Even if he dies, Chavez is likely to cast a long shadow over
Venezuela's political landscape for years - not unlike Argentine
leader Juan Peron, whose 1950s populism is still the ideological
foundation of the country's dominant political party.
There are parallels with Cuba too, where Chavez's friend and
mentor, Fidel Castro, suffered a health downturn, underwent
various operations in secret, and eventually handed over to his
brother Raul Castro.