Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has begun chemotherapy treatment in Cuba nearly one month after surgery was performed to remove a cancerous tumor.
Chavez announced on Sunday that he would undergo the treatment to ensure that cancer cells do not return after his operation.
In a televised speech Chavez revealed:
“We’re going to give it everything we’ve got,” while adding that there is always the chance that the cancer could return “and therefore there’s a need to attack hard through chemotherapy.”
During his stay in the communist country Chavez is being joined by his daughter Rosa, while his brother, Vice President Elias Jaua and Planning and Finance Minister Jorge Giordani will take over many of his tasks until he returns.
Chavez has refused to give up power during treatment but added that if his condition worsens, “I would be the first in doing what the constitution says” which would include delegating all of his positions power to the vice president.
