Argentina President Cristina Fernandez will undergo brain surgery on Tuesday to remove blood clot that pressures her brain.
A couple of months ago, Fernandez suffered an unexplained head injury that resulted to formation of blood clots in her brain. She was then diagnosed with "chronic subdural hematoma," which means there is fluid trapped between the brain and the skull.
Chronic subdural hematoma happens when the tiny veins that connect the brain's surface with its dura – the outermost covering – tear and leak blood.
Now, doctors are preparing to do brain surgery to their dear leader.
Medical experts say that the procedure has generally low risks and have positive results most of the time. However, the surgery of Fernandez worried many Argentines.
Doctors prescribed Fernandez a month-long rest. Not long after, she complained weakness and numbness of her upper left arm. A medical team attended to the president in her home shortly. They checked and confirmed the new symptoms, which prompted them to do the surgery as soon as possible at one of Argentina's top cardiology hospitals – Fundacion Favaloro.
On Monday, as she went back to the hospital for the surgery, Vice President Amado Boudou did not say anything about the scheduled operation. However, he said in a speech that the top officials would take over Argentina as a team "while she gets the rest she deserves.
There was still no official announcement about the transfer of power, but reports said, Boudou has signed papers formally taking over after his speech. The government website also described him late Monday as "vice president in charge of the executive branch."
Fernandez's opponents said the government should be more open. The press release on Saturday night did not coincide with their earlier claims.
"There needs to be more information to lower the people's anxiety," said Fabian Perechodnik, who directs the Poliarquia political consulting firm, in an interview with the Washington Post.
