The struggle against cancer continues, admits Hugo Chavez

VENEZUELAN president Hugo Chavez has acknowledged for the first time that he may need radiotherapy or chemotherapy for cancer treatment.

The 56-year-old socialist's most detailed comments on his condition to date raised the prospect of a lengthy health battlewhich could undermine his ability to govern and run for re-election in 2012.

In a dawn telephone chat yesterday with state TV, Mr Chavez said his operation last month in Cuba had removed a "baseball-size" tumour. The threat of the cancer spreading remained, requiring robust treatment, he said.

He added: "It will probably require known methods ... that could be radiotherapy or chemotherapy to hit hard, with the cavalry, whatever latent possibility is there." The president said he was undergoing organ-by-organ checks. "I don't want, I mustn't give more details," he said.

Mystery and rumour have surrounded his condition since surgery. Allies insist he is recovering, but one source has said he faces chemo for colon cancer.