24 Feb 2012

Chavez going to Cuba for cancer operation

1:49 pm on 24 February 2012

President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela is to travel to Cuba on Friday for a new cancer operation.

It's in the same area where he had a cancerous tumour removed last year.

Mr Chavez, 57, has said the lesion is probably malignant. He is due to stand for re-election in October for another six year term..

Parliament has given him permission to leave the country for more than five days.

Mr Chavez has warned that the treatment will mean he will have to reduce his workload during the campaign.

Last October he declared himself cancer-free after surgery and chemotherapy in Cuba.