• Submitted by: manso
• International
• 08 / 04 / 2011

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DOW JONES NEWSWIRES. CARACAS -(Dow Jones)- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said doctors will evaluate Wednesday whether he will need to return to Cuba to continue his second round of chemotherapy.

Speaking during a telephone call into a state television program, the 57-year- old leader also said that "there could be a need for a third and a fourth" phase of the treatment.

In recent weeks, Chavez has given frequent updates on his cancer treatment and has looked to show himself improving physically in a bid to send a clear message that he has no intentions of stepping down from the helm.

The fiery socialist leader affirmed Wednesday that he plans to run for and win another six-year term in next year's presidential elections. "I have faith and I am sure that I am going to overcome all of this," Chavez said, adding that his struggle with cancer "is also a battle for the life of a people."

While he has addressed his health on numerous occasions, Chavez has yet to state what kind of cancer he is suffering from. During the phone call, he rejected speculation that he had colon cancer.

Chavez had a baseball-sized tumor removed during surgery on June 20 in Havana, where he also underwent a week of chemotherapy. Opposition lawmakers raised concerns last month over Chavez ruling from the Caribbean island while he received treatment and his close relationship with former Cuban leader Fidel Castro.

-Kejal Vyas; Dow Jones Newswires


Source: www.nasdaq.com/aspx/stock-market-news-story.aspx?storyid=201108031239d