Chávez has cancer again; nominates VP for presidency if unable to rule

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez late on Saturday acknowledged that a number of medical tests he underwent in Havana, Cuba, found recurrent malignant cells in the area previously affected by a cancerous tumor. Therefore, he said, he will have to undergo a new cancer surgery over the next few days.

In a mandatory nationwide radio and television broadcast, Chávez asked Venezuelans to vote Nicolás Maduro, the Venezuelan Executive Vice-President and Foreign Minister, in the event that he is unable to end his term in office or take office next January 10 for his new term (2013-2019). In such a scenario, a new presidential election has to be held, as provided for under the Venezuelan Constitution.

Chávez announced that he is traveling to Havana, Cuba, on Sunday, for a new cancer surgery. He explained that during his recent stay in the Caribbean island, where he received hyperbaric oxygen treatment, a number of tests were run. Such tests determined the recurrence of a cancer first diagnosed in mid-2010.

During his speech, Chávez signed a letter requesting authorization from the National Assembly to leave Venezuela for more than five days in order to receive medical treatment.