The health of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has evolved in a "favourable" way in recent days, although he still requires treatment for respiratory failure, the government has said.

"Despite his delicate state ... in recent days the general medical evolution has been favourable," said the latest official
statement on Chavez's health on Sunday.

"The respiratory infection is controlled, though the commander-president still requires specific measures to solve
breathing insufficiency ... he is conscious."