Venezuela's Chavez prepares for cancer treatment
- 12 years ago
Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez says his goodbyes.
The 57-year-old leader departed Saturday for Cuba for his latest round of treatment in a battle against cancer.
Very little is known about his condition, but it is believed he has an agressive form of the disease.
He's had three operations and two rounds of radition treatment in the last year.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT, HUGO CHAVEZ, SAYING:
"I have to go to continue to battle for my life. I have great faith in God, and in Christ my redeeming Lord."
Chavez is seeking re-election during a presidential poll in October.
Just before leaving for Cuba, he announced a 32 percent increase in Venezuela's minimum wage - a move widely seen as an attempt to bolster support among the country's poor.
Andrew Raven, Reuters
The 57-year-old leader departed Saturday for Cuba for his latest round of treatment in a battle against cancer.
Very little is known about his condition, but it is believed he has an agressive form of the disease.
He's had three operations and two rounds of radition treatment in the last year.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT, HUGO CHAVEZ, SAYING:
"I have to go to continue to battle for my life. I have great faith in God, and in Christ my redeeming Lord."
Chavez is seeking re-election during a presidential poll in October.
Just before leaving for Cuba, he announced a 32 percent increase in Venezuela's minimum wage - a move widely seen as an attempt to bolster support among the country's poor.
Andrew Raven, Reuters