Chavez will return to Cuba for cancer treatment

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said on Saturday that he will return to Cuba to start chemotherapy treatment.

Chavez said he would delegate some powers to his vice president and finance minister in his absence.

“I am going to delegate a collection of duties as the constitution requires and that until now were mine. They will be taken by vice president Elias Jaua and Jorge Gordiano. They will oversee the expropriation of businesses and a number of budget-related matters,” Chavez explained in a televised cabinet meeting.

He refused to hand over all of his duties despite calls from opposition politicians, saying he would “come back much better than I am right now”.

The president had asked the National Assembly to authorise his trip to Cuba, as required by the constitution. There is no date set for his return.

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