Hugo
Chávez announces that his cancer has returned
Venezuelan
president said for the first time if his health worsens his successor
would be vice president Nicolas Maduro
9
December, 2012
Venezuelan
president Hugo Chávez announced on Saturday night he will return to
Havana to undergo surgery for the fourth time following the discovery
of new cancer cells during his trip to Cuba last week.
During
a 30 minute nation-wide address, the socialist leader said that vice
president Nicolas Maduro is to step in his place while he remains
away.
"I
need to, I must return to Havana tomorrow", he said. "In
order to
confront
this new battle...
"I
have complete faith that with God's help we will emerge victorious.
We have always lived from one miracle to another," he added.
Chávez,
who was recently re-elected for a fourth period, also said that if he
were unable to assume power in the near future Venezuelans should
vote for Maduro in the elections that according to the Constitution
must be called in the 30 days following a declared absence.
Nicolas
Maduro, who began his political career as a union leader for bus
drivers, is currently minister of foreign affairs, and is the first
person to have been named a successor in the 18 months since Chávez
has been fighting cancer.
"If
something were to happen that would make it impossible for me to be
president, Nicolas Maduro should assume power for the short time left
in this term. But also, it is my firm opinion, my complete and
irrevocable opinion, that under this scenario, you should all vote
for Nicolas", he said.
Surrounded
by Maduro and several of his closest aides Chávez, who is scheduled
to be sworn in for his fourth term 10 January, said he had been
cancer-free at the time of inscribing his candidacy last June. But he
said new malignant cells had been discovered following a thorough
examination conducted last week in Havana, where the president flew
to receive hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
"I
insisted in having all of the medical checks before inscribing my
candidacy and all of the results were positive. If there had been any
negative results, be assured that I would have not inscribed my
candidacy", he said.
This
new set-back in the 58 year-old leader's health comes one week ahead
of regional polls where Venezuelans will be electing governors and
mayors.
During
the broadcast, Chávez emphatically called on his supporters to
remain together, warning them of attempts by the opposition to
destroy the gains of his revolution.
Calling
upon the sword of Simon Bolivar, the nation's independence hero,
Chávez expressed his sorrow for having to convey to the nation the
news of the new-found cancer.
"This
situation pains me deeply because of the pain it causes to millions
of you. But as I've said before, Chávez is no longer this human
being, he is a collective", he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.