Argentine President Cristina Fernandez to speak in public for first time since Dec. 10.

FILE - In this Dec. 10, 2013 file photo, Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez pauses as she speaks at an event marking the 30 year anniversary of the return of democracy in Buenos Aires, Argentina. After more than one month of silence, Fernandez is scheduled to speak in public on Jan. 22, 2014. The president's silence has fed speculation in Argentina about Fernandez's health since head surgery in October and questions about who is running the country. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano, File) (The Associated Press)

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – Argentine President Cristina Fernandez is scheduled to speak in public shortly for first time since Dec. 10.

Her 42-day silence has been feeding speculation in Argentina about her health in the wake of surgery on her head in October. Some opponents have questioned who is running the country.

Cabinet chief Jorge Capitanich says Fernandez will speak at a public event Wednesday at about 2200 GMT.

Fernandez was long known for nearly daily speeches and constant tweets. But she was silenced for six weeks last year when she underwent surgery on Oct. 8 to remove a blood clot. She returned to work on Nov. 18.

Argentina is grappling with double-digit inflation, lower economic growth and dwindling foreign reserves needed to meet foreign debt payments and finance economic stimulus programs.