Venezuela's Chavez returns to Cuba for X-Ray therapy
MEXICO. March 26. KAZINFORM Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez left again for Cuba on Saturday night to undergo almost a month-long radiation therapy treatment, Venezolana de Television channel reported.
Chavez returned to Venezuela from Cuba on March 17, nearly three weeks after undergoing cancer surgery there , RIA Novosti reports.
"Taking into account recommendations of doctors, I have decided to begin tomorrow [on March 25] a radiation therapy treatment as a supplement to the surgery I had four week ago," Chavez was quoted as saying.
Chavez also said that on Friday doctors removed post-surgery stitches and added that "everything is all right, there are no complications and I am ready for the X-ray therapy that could take up to four or five weeks."
Chavez flew to Cuba on February 24 after doctors detected a new formation in roughly the same spot in the pelvic region where he had a malignant tumor that was removed in the summer of 2011.
The Venezuelan leader has denied reports that the cancer had metastasized. Despite his deteriorating health, the 57-year-old president, who has ruled Venezuela for 13 years, is hoping to be re-elected for another six-year presidential term in October. His only competitor is 39-year-old state governor Henrique Capriles.