Chávez Completes First Stage of Chemotherapy, Receives “Fraternal” Visits in Havana
Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez has successfully completed his first stage of chemotherapy after being diagnosed with cancer last month. Returning to Venezuela on Saturday night after his stay in Havana, president Chávez declared that Cuban and Venezuelan doctors had detected “no presence of malignant cells” following a rigorous examination.
Coro, July 24th 2011 (Venezuelanalysis.com) – Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez has successfully completed his first stage of chemotherapy after being diagnosed with cancer last month. Returning to Venezuela on Saturday night after his stay in Havana, president Chávez declared that Cuban and Venezuelan doctors had detected “no presence of malignant cells” following a rigorous examination.
In a press statement outside the international airport of Maiquetia, Vargas state, Chávez thanked Vice-president Elias Jaua and his team of ministers for their efforts and commitment during his brief absence.
“Throughout the week, I haven’t stopped paying attention to Venezuela even for a moment, what’s going on, the good news, the problems, the solutions…I was watching the Vice-president presenting government resources to the communal councils in Maracay, Barquisimeto, (and) today in Guarenas,” he said.
The Venezuelan leader also classified the recent OPEC announcement that Venezuela has the world’s largest oil reserves as “historic news”.
“Only 8 years ago, that gigantic oil reserve wasn’t Venezuelan, even though it is in Venezuela, in the depths of the Orinoco Belt. It was the property of the imperialist trans-nationals. That is why only independence, only liberty… will enable us to develop, to become what we should be, a great republic,” stated the president.
Chávez to Stand in 2012 Elections
Despite much speculation surrounding his health, Chávez has confirmed that he will be standing as the presidential candidate for the United Socialist Party of Venezuela in the country’s 2012 elections.
In a candid interview with Venezuelan news source Correo del Orinoco, the Venezuelan leader spoke of his cancer diagnosis and treatment, as well as his continued commitment to the revolution.
“I have medical, scientific, human, political, and reasons of love, to continue as head of the government and as the (presidential) candidate; now with more vigour than ever before…I haven’t thought about withdrawing from the presidency for even one moment, if there were reason to, I would do it, if there were physical or mental reasons, I would be the first (to withdraw), and in a responsible way,” said the Venezuelan president, who added that he was also following a strict medical regime as part of his recuperation process.
Fraternal Visits in Havana
Throughout the course of the week, president Chávez also received “fraternal” visits from Ecuadorean president Rafael Correa, Nicaraguan president Daniel Ortega and Argentinean footballer Diego Maradona.
The Venezuelan president stated that his meeting with Rafael Correa and Fidel and Raul Castro was more “human than political…we conversed like brothers.”
According to Venezuelan news sources, the four Latin American figures discussed the international food crisis as well as the results of Venezuela’s game against Paraguay in the Copa Americana football tournament.
“I was really pleased to see how cheerful president Chavéz was, as well as Fidel, who turns 85 in August. He’s not only a part of Latin American history, but a legend, as is Commander Raul Castro,” said Correa, who approved a series of bilateral energy agreements with Cuba during his visit to Havana.
“With that will of iron, that Bolivarian and Alfarista (radical) spirit that president Hugo Chávez Frias possesses, he will know how to win this new battle,” added the Ecuadoran president.
