Ailing Chavez to return to Cuba
Source: Agencies |
July 17, 2011, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
PRESIDENT Hugo Chavez's fight against cancer has taken another surprising turn, with Venezuela's leftist leader announcing plans to fly back to Cuba yesterday to begin chemotherapy.
Chavez has kept a close lid on information about his health problems over the past month but has made headlines with unexpected announcements and appearances.
The latest came on Friday after Chavez met with Peruvian President-elect Ollanta Humala, then told reporters he was asking permission from lawmakers to return to Havana. That's where he spent much of June undergoing surgeries to remove an abscess and a cancerous tumor in his pelvic region before making a surprise return on July 4.
"This second phase will begin in the next days with the application of chemotherapy, scientifically planned, in detail," Chavez said on the steps of the presidential palace in Caracas. "I am sure, I repeat, the second stage will contribute to following the path to the recuperation of my health."
It was not clear how long Chavez will remain in Cuba.
Chavez said he was sending a letter to the president of Venezuela's National Assembly, Fernando Soto Rojas, to request immediate "legislative authorization" for his trip as required by the constitution.
The National Assembly called a special session to take up the president's request, said legislator Alfonso Marquina, an opposition leader.
Chavez's allies hold a majority of seats in the assembly.
Marquina said that opposition lawmakers intended to vote in favor of granting the president a "temporary absence." He said they also hoped to receive "a medical report that dispels doubts for all Venezuelans about what the president's true state of health is."
The 56-year-old president's cancer diagnosis has thrown uncertainty into Venezuela's political landscape.
Chavez, who has held dominant power during more than 12 years in office, has said he's confident he will rebound but has also admitted a long road to recovery remains.
Chavez underwent surgery in Cuba on June 20 to remove a cancerous tumor from his pelvic region.
Chavez has kept a close lid on information about his health problems over the past month but has made headlines with unexpected announcements and appearances.
The latest came on Friday after Chavez met with Peruvian President-elect Ollanta Humala, then told reporters he was asking permission from lawmakers to return to Havana. That's where he spent much of June undergoing surgeries to remove an abscess and a cancerous tumor in his pelvic region before making a surprise return on July 4.
"This second phase will begin in the next days with the application of chemotherapy, scientifically planned, in detail," Chavez said on the steps of the presidential palace in Caracas. "I am sure, I repeat, the second stage will contribute to following the path to the recuperation of my health."
It was not clear how long Chavez will remain in Cuba.
Chavez said he was sending a letter to the president of Venezuela's National Assembly, Fernando Soto Rojas, to request immediate "legislative authorization" for his trip as required by the constitution.
The National Assembly called a special session to take up the president's request, said legislator Alfonso Marquina, an opposition leader.
Chavez's allies hold a majority of seats in the assembly.
Marquina said that opposition lawmakers intended to vote in favor of granting the president a "temporary absence." He said they also hoped to receive "a medical report that dispels doubts for all Venezuelans about what the president's true state of health is."
The 56-year-old president's cancer diagnosis has thrown uncertainty into Venezuela's political landscape.
Chavez, who has held dominant power during more than 12 years in office, has said he's confident he will rebound but has also admitted a long road to recovery remains.
Chavez underwent surgery in Cuba on June 20 to remove a cancerous tumor from his pelvic region.
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