President Hugo Chavez is back in Cuba for further chemotherapy treatment for cancer.
Parliament held a special session to authorise his trip.
Doctors removed a tumour from Mr Chavez in June and he returned to Cuba last month to receive his first round of chemotherapy.
The exact nature of his cancer has not been disclosed.
The BBC reports the illness has raised doubts about whether he will be able to stand for re-election next year as planned.
