I will live, Chavez vows after cancer op

VenezuelaN president Hugo Chavez has confirmed he had suffered a recurrence of cancer, saying he would need radiotherapy treatment after the removal of another tumor, even though there was no evidence of metastasis.

“I will live! I will overcome!” the 57-year-old socialist leader said in a televised meeting with some cabinet colleagues from Cuba, where he underwent an operation six days ago.

Mr Chavez’s comments about his health came at the end of an address to Venezuelans, broadcast on TV, in which he expressed confidence in his recovery, told jokes, signed state papers and even broke into song.

He is seeking to extend his 13-year rule at an election in October, but his health problems have raised doubts about his capacity to to rule for another six-year term should he win.

In his comments from Havana, broadcast yesterday but recorded on Saturday, Mr Chavez varied between enthusiasm and introspection. “We are all human, we are all extinguishable, more so with the life I have had, where one year seems like 100,” he said. He gave no word on when he would return to Venezuela.