During the three months that Chavez was undergoing treatment and absent from the political stage, Maduro has been highly visible.

CNN: Venezuelans line streets for Chavez procession

Barcelona are dominant in the league but seem to be faltering without their manager Tito Vilanova who has been absent since the beginning of February while he has treatment for throat cancer in New York.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Beckham was absent from the Boxing Day win over Bradford City after a week of treatment.

BBC: Sunderland facing tough task