Chávez confirms cancer has returned

CARACAS, Venezuela -- President Hugo Chávez revealed yesterday that a new tumor recently removed from his pelvic region was of the same type of cancer as a baseball-sized growth extracted from that part of his body about eight months ago.

In his first TV appearance in nine days, Chávez said the surgery and follow-up tests showed the tumor was "a recurrence of the initially diagnosed cancer." He said "the tumor was totally extracted."

The president said he would spend several weeks recovering and then "we are going to do radiation treatment in the area . . . without discarding other treatment options."

Chávez, 57, spoke firmly in footage recorded Saturday in Havana, accompanied by various government ministers and older brother Adán Chávez. The president said his recuperation has been "open, progressive and rapid" in the footage aired yesterday in Venezuela.

Chávez flew to Cuba for his most recent surgery on Feb. 24, and his absence from the public spotlight since then has sparked speculation about his health.

The president has taken pains to demonstrate unflagging energy in his public appearances as he faces a tough re-election battle in November. -- AP