Hugo Chavez cold-shoulders disciple claiming to be his son

The president of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez, has encountered an intriguing complication as he attempts to restore his popularity after a series of embarrassing political setbacks. A 30-year-old man claiming to be his illegitimate son has come forward with political ambitions of his own. Salomon Fernandez bears a striking physical resemblance to Chavez and has provided evidence of his identity to Venezuelan intelligence officials. He has met Chavez’s parents – who he claims are his grandparents – and has become friendly with one of the president’s aunts. Yet Chavez has declined either to acknowledge or to repudiate his would-be son, who has upset officials in the ruling Socialist party by seeking to enter politics in his home state of Carabobo.