Argentine president remains in hospital with fever

BUENOS AIRES — Argentine President Cristina Fernandez remained hospitalized yesterday at a Buenos Aires clinic due to a fever.

The 61-year-old president entered the Sanatorio Otamendi clinic after feeling ill Sunday afternoon. Cabinet Chief Jorge Capitanich declined to provide details yesterday, saying only that he spoke to Fernandez before she checked into the clinic.

Fernandez's illness forced her to suspend a visit to Argentina by Chile's President Michelle Bachelet that had been planned for Tuesday, according to presidential spokesman Alfredo Scoccimarro. The two leaders planned to commemorate the 30th anniversary of a peace treaty between both nations, and were due to hold a teleconference with Pope Francis.

So far, the presidential medical team has only released a statement describing Fernandez's ailment as an infection-related fever. It was expected to release an update on her health later yesterday, the presidential spokesman said.

Fernandez, who is approaching the final year of her presidency, has had various bouts with poor health. In mid-October, doctors told her to rest for 48 hours in order to recover from a sore throat. In January, Fernandez was treated for hip pain and sciatica, and in July she missed Independence Day celebrations due to an acute throat infection.

Last year, she underwent head surgery to remove a blood clot. A 40-day period between December and January when Fernandez went silent from public comments caused concern over her condition.