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Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez salutes before the start of a military parade to commemorate the 20th anniversary of his failed coup attempt, on Feb. 4 , 2012, in Caracas. Chavez announced on Feb. 21 he will undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a "lesion" in the same area where a cancerous tumor was removed in mid-2011.
President Hugo Chavez said Tuesday that doctors in Cuba have found a new lesion in the area where he had cancer surgery last year, and he will require surgery.
"It is a small lesion of about 2 centimeters (less than 1 inch) in diameter, very clearly visible," Chavez told state television.
The announcement throws new uncertainty over the country's politics because the socialist leader is seeking re-election this year, hoping to extend his more than 13 years in power.
Related: Chavez allies attack new opponent Capriles as Jewish, gay
Chavez did not say when he would undergo the surgery, other than "in the coming days." He also failed to mention whether he'll travel to Cuba again for this procedure
According to Venezuela's El Universal newspaper, Chavez said he was in good physical condition to "face this new battle." He added he had decided to inform people of his condition to dispel recent rumors, which were triggered by the president's absence following a public appearance on Feb. 17.
"I deny that I have metastasis ... that I'm dying," Chavez said.
On Tuesday, he denied that the cancer had spread to his liver. He has never specified the cancer's exact nature or location.
Chavez, 57, said the new surgery should be less complicated than what he underwent in Cuba in June, when doctors removed a cancerous tumor from his pelvic region. From July to September, he received four rounds of chemotherapy, both in Cuba and in Venezuela, and he has since said that tests show he is cancer-free.
In recent weeks, Chavez has recovered the hair that he shaved while undergoing chemotherapy and has appeared vigorous, returning to his full schedule of activities, including marathon television appearances.
He has assured Venezuelans that he is in fine shape to gain what would be his fourth term in the Oct. 7 elections against opposition candidate Henrique Capriles.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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He still looks like a bloated pig. Too bad they cant just keep him in a sedated coma for the next 10 years.
Give him a few more years on the lecture and TV circuit. Then he'll spend his retirement wearing Adidas sweats and wandering around Havana with his hero Fidel.
Yep, he sure looks fatter so are his and cronies pocket and the poor getting poorer, blaming his ineptness all on the US. No wonder he wants to stay as a dictator and keep mudslingig his opponent
For the sake of the Venezuelan people, I wish him a speedy non-recovery.
"He has assured Venezuelans that he is in fine shape to gain what would be his fourth term in the Oct. 7 elections against opposition candidate Henrique Capriles."
And if it looks bad for him just before the elections, he will merely have his opponent arrested on trumped up charges and declare a 'national emergency' to eliminate the need for elections.
With all of the $Billions he gets in oil revenues, I wonder where it all goes?
God, if you're listening, let this fat bastard die a slow, painful death.
I know the perfect doctor for him, Jack Kevorkian.
Regrettably, Chavez also announced that he would postpone exploratory brain surgery. This decision was on the advice of his doctors, who explained that there was nothing to explore.
Looking at how fat his face is, he sure does look like he's in "good shape"! lol
What's up with that salute Soldier?.. And for god"s sake, get in line for some physical training you $lob.
Poor Sean Penn is so worried about his best friend.
Screw Sean Penn, What a moron he is.
I liked him in the movies, he is a putz when off of the silver screen though. Sorry Sean if you don't like my opinion; that's the way the drunk bounces though.
there is a basic treatment issue here that has not been addressed. Chavez IS HIMSELF the cancer on the country.
which puts the Cuban doctors on the cusp of history... they may be attempting to remove a conscience, and if so, have it identified. this would be a first.
Well, the first round didn't take, so us Americans had to give him cancer again using our super-secret cancer-inducing space laser that we've been using to kill our political enemies.
On a serious note, I hope the surgery is successful and that Chavez survives so that he lives long enough to get trounced in a fair election and then witness his country return to some degree of prosperity from the shambles he's reduced it to. It wouldn't have the same dramatic irony if he were to die before he saw his life's work undone and people better off for it.
OMG...Mr. Potato Head.
Jabba the Hutt?
pray he dies during surgery we better get CIA doctor in there
Die you pig!
He already knows it has metatisized or he wouldn't know the word. One day soon we'll read about his untimely demise. It will be a shock to nobody except maybe his dog.
There is a large tumor in the shape of a human head on top of his shoulders that needs to be removed.
The dude looks like a gay Taliban in denial.
i guess this is why iran is running so scared and throwing around his bluff threats. the only 2 contries that still deal with him are syria and Venezuela. with one in civil war and the other with cancer it dont look good for iran.
He is a leison to his country. Maybe this will help remove him.
I prefer to think of him as a nasty boil that needs to be lanced.
Maybe they can implant a rational brain inside his fat, diseased head! He is an enemy of the whole free world.
I hate to sound heartless and non christian but CHAVEZ, CAN YOU JUST DIE ASAP??