Venezuelan President Has Surgery for Cancerous Tumor

Venezuelan President Has Surgery for Cancerous Tumor

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says he has undergone successful surgery in Cuba for the removal of a cancerous growth.
In a speech on state television late Thursday, Chavez said the operation addressed a tumor with "cancerous cells." He voiced hope that he is on the road to recovery.
It was his first televised address to the Venezuelan people since he underwent emergency surgery in Cuba on June 10. His prolonged stay in Cuba after surgery had sparked rumors he may have cancer.



The video showed Chavez, wearing his trademark track suit, talking with Castro and looking at Tuesday's edition of the state-run Granma newspaper. But while the video showed the pair acting chummy as they talked, neither leader addressed the Venezuelan president's medical condition.
The images reaffirmed what Venezuelan officials have been saying, Jaua told state-run VTV Wednesday. Chavez deserves to have the time he needs to recover from surgery, he said.