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    July 17, 2011

Venezuela's Chavez in Cuba to Begin Cancer Treatment

   VOA News
   Cuba's President Raul Castro (L) greets Venezuela's President Hugo
   Chavez and his daughter Rosa Virginia (R), at Havana airport in this
   handout picture taken on July 16, 2011
   Photo: AP
   Cuba's President Raul Castro (L) greets Venezuela's President Hugo
   Chavez and his daughter Rosa Virginia (R), at Havana airport in this
   handout picture taken on July 16, 2011

   Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez arrived in Cuba late Saturday to begin
   chemotherapy, after undergoing surgery last month to remove a cancerous
   tumor.
   Before boarding his plane in Caracas, Chavez said he was going away for
   a few days, but the length of his stay in Cuba is not known.
   Earlier in the day, President Chavez delegated some of his powers to
   Vice President Elias Jaua and Finance Minister Jorge Giordani, after
   the national assembly approved his trip. He resisted calls from the
   opposition to temporarily hand over the presidency to the vice
   president during his absence.

   Chavez had surgery in Cuba on July 4 to remove the tumor, one day
   before Venezuela celebrated the 200th anniversary of its independence
   from Spain.
   The Venezuelan leader did not indicate the type of cancer he had, and
   questions remain about how sick he is. Prior to that surgery, Chavez
   underwent an operation in Cuba for what officials said was an abscess
   in his pelvic area.
   The 56-year-old president, who has ruled the South American nation
   since 1999, told Venezuelans that he intends to remain in control of
   the country.

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