Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez admits to relapse of cancer
Venezuelan leader announces on national TV operation is urgent and says vice-president would lead if anything unforeseen happened
Firebrand Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has admitted a relapse of his cancer and designated Vice-President Nicolas Maduro as his heir apparent in case "something happened" to him.
But in what appeared like a presentation of his final will, the president also indicated he would like Maduro to take over the reins of power in a post-Chavez period, urging Venezuelans to vote for him in the next presidential elections.
Chavez said a return of cancer cells was detected during his most recent visit to Cuba for medical examination, and he would return to the communist-ruled island for another round of surgery.
"During this thorough examination, they again detected some malignant cells in the same area as before," Chavez said on national television on Saturday.
He did not offer details, but his cancer was first detected in the pelvic area. Neither the Venezuelan leader, nor his Cuban doctors have ever disclosed what kind of cancer that was. He admitted he was suffering "somewhat strong" pain and was taking tranquillisers as part of preparation for his upcoming surgery.
Chavez said his Cuban medical team had conveyed to him a sense of urgency about the operation, which he said was now "absolutely necessary".