 |
Venezuelan
President Hugo Chavez stretches during his daily exercise
routine in Caracas, July 11, 2011. (Credit: Reuters/Miraflores Palace) |
(Reuters) -
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez acknowledged for the first time on Wednesday
he may need radiotherapy or chemotherapy for cancer treatment that has rocked
the OPEC-member nation that he has led since 1999.
Mystery and
rumor have surrounded the 56-year-old socialist leader's precise condition
since surgery in Cuba last month to remove a cancerous tumor.
Allies of
Chavez insist he is in a recovery phase, but one source close to his medical
team has said he faces lengthy chemotherapy for colon cancer.
"I'm
in the second stage of the disease, (going through) an organ-by-organ
assessment and other factors, I mustn't give more details," Chavez told
state TV, according to quotes provided by his office and also in other local
media.
In the most
detailed comments yet on his surgery in Havana last month and followup
treatment, Chavez said he had a six-hour operation to reduce a nearly
"baseball-size" tumor.
He also
said more robust medical methods were necessary. "We're about to start a
second stage and maybe a third, to block those malignant cells," he said.
"It
could be radiotherapy or chemotherapy."
Though he
has reasserted political control with his return to Venezuela last week and
wants to appear strong, Chavez's battle to regain his health has raised
questions over his ability to govern and to run for re-election in 2012 as
planned.
Moody's
investors service said in a new report on Venezuela that "ongoing
questions over his health could impact his chances of victory against a unified
opposition candidate" in next year's election.
The
charismatic but authoritarian president who has ruled Venezuela since 1999 is
famous for hours-long speeches and a punishing work schedule. However, he now
has to scale back his one-man, micromanaging style.
"I
need to learn to delegate, let people show their potential," he said,
blaming stress and poor personal habits as a factor for his health problems.
"I
weighed more than (220 pounds). I was killing myself, 40 cups of coffee, three
telephones. ... Permanent anxiety."
Chavez has
looked more pale and self-reflective than usual, sometimes walking awkwardly.
Still, he appears to be staying busy despite reducing his public appearances to
short, stage managed segments.
On Tuesday
evening, for example, he attended a Catholic Mass for his health at a military
academy.
Despite
treatment scheduled for later on Wednesday, Chavez said he still planned to
watch a broadcast of Venezuela's soccer game against Paraguay in the regional
Copa America tournament.
Images of
Chavez watching and cheering Venezuela's 1-0 victory over Ecuador last weekend
have been shown repeatedly on state media in an effort to illustrate him
returning to some sort of normal life.
Given the
absence of precise information about his condition, the country has been awash
with speculation -- ranging from Chavez's imminent death to one conspiracy
theory the whole affair was made up to earn him sympathy prior to the 2012
vote.
Chavez has
laughed off the most extreme versions.
"Neither
my colon nor my stomach are chopped into bits, not at all," he said on
Wednesday. "Long live life! We will fight against all types of cancer,
those produced by capitalism."
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