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    April 07, 2012

Venezuelan Leader Prays for Life Before Cancer Treatment

   VOA News
   Photo: AP

   Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says he's heading back to Cuba late
   Saturday for a third round of radiation therapy as part of his cancer
   treatment.
   Little is known about the 57-year-old socialist leader's condition,
   including what type of cancer he has. Mr. Chavez has undergone three
   operations in less than a year, and received two sessions of radiation
   treatment.
   He says the latest surgery was successful, and that he will be fit to
   win a new six-year term in October. On Thursday, a day after returning
   from Cuba, Mr. Chavez became emotional during a Mass held in his home
   state of Barinas.
   Flanked by family members, Mr. Chavez asked God: "Please don't take me
   yet." In a breaking voice, he said he still has "things to do for my
   people and my country."
   Mr. Chavez underwent an operation in February in Cuba to remove a tumor
   from his pelvic region. A tumor was extracted from the same area last
   year. He has also undergone two rounds of radiation therapy.

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