CARACAS (Reuters) – the Chairman of Venezuela, Hugo Chávez, traveled to Cuba to begin Sunday a treatment of radiotherapy for up to five weeks against the cancer that suffers, although he commented that his recovery is accelerated and that he will return in a few days.
Treatment to which will be the military retired 57-year would oblige him down the pace of his constant public appearances, while intensifies the electoral campaign for the elections which will seek re-election in October and they are seen as the odds that has had to deal with.
“I decided on the recommendation of my medical equipment and also my political team of the Government start tomorrow Sunday the treatment of radiation therapy as a complement to surgery,” said Chavez on Saturday during a Council of Ministers, pointing out that the treatment will last up to five weeks.
Stay of Chavez on the island ruled by his ally Raul Castro will coincide with the visit which will begin on Monday Pope Benedict XVI.
“Again in a few days.” Radiotherapy are several days and after a break, and then other days and another break. So I’m going to be going and coming. It is possible that some of the sessions here do them in Venezuela; “we are evaluating”, later said the agent, before leaving the island.
Minutes later took the presidential plane – a modern Airbus A319 – the hand of his eldest daughter and was dismissed by some of his ministers and military formation.
A week ago, the Venezuelan leader returned from Cuba, where he was subjected to a new surgery that had removed a cancerous tumour in the pelvic area, which had already been treated for cancer.
After several rounds of chemotherapy during the second half of 2011, Chávez said he had overcome cancer, but last month surprised with a relapse that a revolt among his faithful supporters and within his own Government.
On Saturday, Chavez said that his recovery “has been accelerated and sustained more than last time”.
Experts point out that the most common side effects of radiation therapy include fatigue, nausea and changes in the skin, which usually disappear in less than two months.
During his chemotherapy last year, the leftist leader had to drop the pace of his public exposure, but after declaring “cured” in October, returned to his busy schedule.
The health of the President, who has been 13 years in power, is key for the political future of the country member of OPEC, which on October 7 will go to the polls to choose between the Socialist leader and the only opposition candidate, the young Governor Miranda, Henrique Capriles.
Surveys and reviews
According to analysts, the forced removal of Chavez from the public scene for the new treatment would benefit Capriles, which, with 39 years after his great victory in the primaries of the opposition, looms with greater physical strength to deal with the election campaign.
However, Chavez still has broad support among the poor majority of the country benefiting with dozens of direct subsidies funded multimillion-dollar oil income of the largest exporter of crude oil of Latin America.
At least three recent polls give Chavez an advantage of more than 20 points on Capriles, although a respected pollster says that the difference in favour of the President is of only one percentage point.
“mathematically, a difference of 20 points is impossible that he reverts in six months and much less with a gap to grow”, said Chávez on Saturday.
“the great Bolivarian victory next October 7 is written and you gentlemen of the opposition will remain opposition by 500 years at least, this is their role,” he added.
The opposition has criticized Chávez travel to treat in Cuba and his style of governing to “distance”, while during his absence the speculation about his State of health are triggered by the lack of detailed information about the disease.
Since that he became ill in the middle of last year not stated the exact location of tumors that you were extracted or the type of cancer afflicting.
“surely in this decision will be criticised by some poisoned spokespersons of opposition.” “However, I am sure in my heart, in my conscience, that accompany me the vast majority of Venezuelans and the Venezuelan bent on my full recovery from this disease”, said the President.
But the disease of Chávez and his repeated absences have awakened struggles of power among some close aides to the representative, who does not have a designated heir to continue his political project.
“am there same crossing Caribbean, full powers and conditions to continue ruling the country and to continue commanding to my beloved Bolivarian armed force”, said the President before leaving for Cuba surrounded by military.
/Por Carlos Buitrago and Diego prayed /
