Wednesday, January 4, 2012

'No complications during CFK's surgery,' says Government spokesman

Presidential spokesman Alfredo Scoccimarro announced that, "there were no complications during President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner's surgery," a little over two hours after the Head of State came out of the operating theatre today. He added that the President is "awake" and will remain in hospital for the next 72 hours. Scoccimarro furthered that the next official medical report will be issued tomorrow at noon.

Fernández de Kirchner underwent surgery this morning for thyroid cancer. The operation took a little over three hours. The Head of State was taken into the operating theatre at approximately 8.20 am this morning.

The Head of State arrived to the Austral Clinic at 7am in the presidential helicopter where hundreds of Kirchnerite activists awaited her arrival, camped outside the hospital in the Greater Buenos Aires locality of Pilar.

Outside the hospital and armed with dozens of flags and posters covered with messages, young activists set a camp. The militants mostly belong to the Movimiento Evita; the Peronist Youth (Juventud Peronista), and Tupac Amaru movement. Also members of organizations linked to mayors of Quilmes -Francisco Gutiérrez-, and José C. Paz -Mario Ishii- were present at the hospital's surrounding area.

The activists stand at the sides of the private hospital’s entrance which is about a hundred metres away from the main building, and the vigil is expected to be held until the President is out of surgery.

Likewise, a large truck belonging to Movimiento Evita, led by picket leader Emilio Pérsico, the same one used by the Head of State as stage during the celebrations of her resounding victory in the October 23 presidential elections. Videos of the President will be played throughtout the day in a large screen installed in the truck.

In addition to the makeshift camp of supporters there was also a strong media presence surrounding the hospital, with journalists from both local and international press outlets.

Security measures have been taken to minimize the amount of people who will pass through the hospital, including the installation of several security cameras around the area and inside the building.

The Border Guard, Provincial Police force and the Federal Police are working together to organize the official security operative. The Border Guard will head up the logistics and management of the hospital’s heliport, while the perimeter and vehicular controls will be the responsibility of the Buenos Aires provincial police.

Access to the hospital and its premises will be covered by the President’s security detail as well as private security hired by the hospital.

Finally, security on the floor where Fernández de Kirchner will recover is to be controlled by Federal Police officials and the President’s security detail.

Thyroid removal is a relatively routine surgery and a swift recovery is expected. Fernández de Kirchner has papillary thyroid carcinoma; as it was detected early there is no sign of metastasis and chemotherapy will not be required as part of her treatment.

Vice-President Amado Boudou will be in charge for the next 20 days while the President recovers.

Boudou will work out of an office at the Banco Nación as he coordinates the signing of resolutions and daily decrees, but it is expected he will maintain a low profile and not organize any official meetings. Boudou’s substitution is more symbolic if anything, official sources have said.

Political decisions will be made by Carlos Zannini, Legal and Technical secretary, and Máximo Kirchner, the President’s son.

Planning Minister Julio De Vido and Domestic Trade secretary Guillermo Moreno will handle key economic matters.

Boudou will be consulting this “Cristinian” inner circle and following their advice.