Venezuela's cancer-stricken president, Hugo Chavez, is recovering in Cuba and is not in a coma as some have rumored a month after surgery, his brother, Adan Chavez, said after a visit to Havana.

The 58-year-old socialist leader has not been seen or heard from since his December 11 cancer surgery.

But elder brother Adan Chavez, who is governor of the family's home state of Barinas, said the president was improving daily, according to a news release on Saturday from his office.

"The head of state continues to assimilate treatment well and his recovery is advancing daily," the statement read.

"Information on social networks and in other places, saying the president is in a coma and his family are discussing the supposed disconnection of life support equipment, are totally false," it added.

Chavez missed his own inauguration for a new, six-year term last week, although Venezuela's top court ruled that he remained in power and Vice President Nicolas Maduro could deputize until there was clarity over the president's condition.

The rumors were stoked when Chavez did not send a message to Thursday's pro-government rally, the day he was supposed to be sworn in.

Unlike past trips to Cuba for medical treatment, no images have been released of him this time.

Adan Chavez said foreign media were in league with local opposition activists to promote lies about the president.

"We know this is part of a dirty war by the necrophilic opposition," he was quoted as saying in the news release. "We are sure that with the support of God, science and the people, our president will triumph in this new battle."

Reuters