While recovering from a cancer surgery on bed, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez was studying the results of the latest local elections, Vice President Nicolas Maduro said Thursday.

Chavez's "general state of health continues to progressively stabilize," Maduro said of Chavez's recovery following hiss fourth surgery in Cuba.

The president was informed of the election results, in which the ruling party won 20 of 23 state governorships, Maduro said.

"I have been informed that the report of Sunday's victory was given to the president and that he has expressed his deep recognition for all the men and women of the country. He is evaluating the figures," Maduro said.

He said "the respiratory infection that was diagnosed is still being treated and controlled by the medical team through rigorous and constant monitoring."

Earlier this week, the Venezuelan government reported Chavez had suffered a respiratory infection that was brought under control. The infection was a common occurrence among "patients who undergo complicated surgeries," they later said.

Chavez was ordered to bed rest and had his family and friends by his side, Maduro said.

Chavez was first diagnosed with cancer in 2011 and has since undergone four operations, as well as radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatments in Havana. Endi